Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe
The CH-54 Skycrane was the dream of a true aviation genius and giant of the helicopter industry, Igor Sikorsky. Though he officially retired in 1957 at the age of 68, he immediately applied himself to the design of the Skycrane. First flight occurred on May 9, 1962, only 13 months from the program start. Acceptance by the US Army of the first of six YCH-54A helicopters occurred on June 30, 1964, with a resulting total purchase of 89 variants.
The original A-Model has a length of 88.6 ft and height of 25.4 ft. Two P&W T73-P-1 turboshafts of 4,500 SHP each provide the power to lift a variety of loads using the removable “people pod” or a four-point load leveler system. It can also lift slung cargo weighing up to 20,000 lb beneath the single hook. The B-Model had a payload capacity 5,000 lb greater than the A-Model due to the installation of the improved JFDT12A-5A/T-73-P-700 engines which provided an additional 300 SHP. The B-Model also had a clear feminine voice warning system and beefed-up Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), as well as improved main rotor gearbox, rotor head and main rotor blades.
The rear-facing pilot’s station with sidearm controller, which allowed for fly-by-wire inputs for both the cyclic and yaw control, made this aircraft unique. This station also managed the aircraft’s hoist, a moveable hook on 100 ft of cable, allowing for the precision placement or extraction of loads from untenable areas.
The Skycrane departed active-duty Army units in 1979 and all helicopters were transferred to National Guard units. The US Army officially retired the CH-54 Skycrane in the early 1990s. The last flight occurred on Jan. 10, 1993.
Today, the S-64 “Air Crane” is manufactured and maintained in Central Point, Oregon, by Erickson Inc. Erickson purchased the Type Certificate from Sikorsky Aircraft in 1992 and has since manufactured the S-64 under a full production certificate from the FAA. Erickson has successfully completed numerous conversions of the CH-54 to the S-64 for civil and commercial use.
Prepared by Paul Fardink.
US Army photo via Paul Fardink, Sikorsky Archives photo
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