Erickson Incorporated, the world's leading general aircraft operations, maintenance and manufacturing company, recently announced that the company's latest generation of composite main rotor blades has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
EricksonS-64 Air Crane® rotorcraft
Erickson has many years of rich experience in manufacturing metal blades. In order to make the S-64 rotor aircraft have a more successful future, Erickson began to design and manufacture composite main rotor blades in 2008, with FAA and various industries. Partners work closely and actively obtain relevant certifications. In 2013, the company and Helicopter Transport Services (HTS) reached a cooperation, and then the CH-54 rotorcraft can also use this blade.
To maintain tight control of the blade manufacturing process, Erickson built a composite manufacturing plant in 2015. After thousands of hours of design, testing and analysis by the company's engineers and partners, the new composite main rotor blades have finally been released and have now been approved by the FAA for use with S-64E models. Its initial service life will be extended. It is expected that this blade will be approved for the CH-54A model in the next few weeks, and S-64F and CH-54B certification will be obtained this summer.
Doug Kitani, CEO of Erickson, said: "The success of the composite main rotor blades proves that we have been committed to using the latest generation of innovative technologies to promote the modernization of the S-64 Air Crane® helicopter and the traditional fleet. Original equipment manufacturers provide aerospace components and are also an aviation operator. We will continue to work hard to find new and reliable solutions that will allow customers to enjoy longer, safer and cost-effective flight services.
About Erickson
Erickson is a leading global aviation service provider, focusing on defense and national security, manufacturing, maintenance and overhaul (MRO) and civil services. The company's manufacturing and MRO services include the production of S-64 Air Crane® helicopters as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the provision of key aerospace components for aviation original equipment manufacturers. Commercial flight services include the operation of 20 company-owned S-64 Air Crane® helicopters, responsible for fire fighting, power line construction, logging, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and heavy lifting tasks dedicated to oil and gas. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA. Its business footprint spans North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Australia.