Sikorsky/Erickson CH-64/S-64 Skycrane/Air-Crane

[kick Z tail out]

It's funny that a city contracts a Skycrane. 

[Realbigtaco]

This guy has been down in Chula Vista removing the hard to reach 120 foot power transmission towers.  It is part of the city of Chula Vista's long term goal to make the water front area more attractive.  Anyways he was out and about in the morning dismantling towers, so i ran home and got the camera.  By the time i got back he was done, but he was doing some sort of training (Hovering for about 30 minutes) in an old lot by my work.  So i took an impromptu break and snapped up some photos. 

[phantomphan1974]

Some shots from last year.


©2009DJD_VNY_EricksonAirCrane_0004-donate-web by PhantomPhan1974 Photography, on Flickr


©2009DJD_VNY_EricksonAirCrane_0074 copy1-donate-web by PhantomPhan1974 Photography, on Flickr


Erickson Air-Crane by PhantomPhan1974 Photography, on Flickr

[phantomphan1974]

Erickson Air-Crane by PhantomPhan1974 Photography, on Flickr


Erickson Air-Crane by PhantomPhan1974 Photography, on Flickr


Erickson Air-Crane by PhantomPhan1974 Photography, on Flickr

[CHILIBEAN]

Awsome Shots Damon 

[robin990]

Nice shots......

[rammsteinmatt]

I'm extremely jealous Damon...  The Air Crane is by far my favorite aircraft, yet has proven to be most elusive when I'm photographing.  It was a glorious day when I saw LA county fire was in possession of a S-64 for fire fighting

When I was in jr. high I wrote Erickson requesting more information on their product because I was so interested.  It also probably pushed me to study Aerospace Engineering in school and search for an open position there when I was approaching graduation.  Yea I'm about that crazy.

[phantomphan1974]

I'm extremely jealous Damon...  The Air Crane is by far my favorite aircraft, yet has proven to be most elusive when I'm photographing.  It was a glorious day when I saw LA county fire was in possession of a S-64 for fire fighting

When I was in jr. high I wrote Erickson requesting more information on their product because I was so interested.  It also probably pushed me to study Aerospace Engineering in school and search for an open position there when I was approaching graduation.  Yea I'm about that crazy.

Thanks and very cool.   They are back on contract again and based down at VNY.   As of now they say Erickson Air-Crane on the tail and not sure of plans to apply the decals like in past years.  Hopefully you get a chance to shoot them practicing somewhere or hopefully not, battling one of our wildfires.

[Scott D]

LAFD Erikson Skycrane 8-8-10


IMG_9670 copy by Scott D 91, on Flickr


IMG_9672 copy by Scott D 91, on Flickr


IMG_9678 copy by Scott D 91, on Flickr

[kick Z tail out]

Who doesn't love an Aircrane?!  



One of my shots from the Clinton Fire last week.

[robin990]

Some air-to-air in 2007....

[SkyBaby]

Here are a few of mine from last summer's fires in Tehachapi.  There was a dip well set up in Mountain Valley glider port.  LAFD and KFD helos fighting the fires were both stationed at the airport temporarily as well as the two Sikorskys. 

Got really close for this one. 


You can see part of the glider port in the background with a few of the other helos on the ground. 


He was just pulling up out of the well in those shot. 


A head on of 719