More about the Skycrane

Here is a close up of the fire-fighting 1967 Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane turned Helitanker which was used on the June Lake Fire and appeared on the cover of our Sept. 20 issue. Sabrina Nioche caught up with the crew at Bishop Airport last Friday.

A 9,000 horsepower engine propels this aircraft. Its water tank has a 2,400 gallon capacity and can be filled in less than a minute if water source conditions are optimal. During firefighting missions, the water tank is filled to about one third of its capacity to start but will take on more water as the fuel tank empties. Note: A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds; it is a lot of weight even for a 9,000 horsepower dual engine air-crane – especially if you consider that it must hover while it draws water from its source.

The imposing craft travels with its own operating crew and a refueling truck. Pilots Lucas Snyder and Greg Majerie, Crew chief Dean Marshall, field truck driver Bob, and mechanic Ryan Lewis (not pictured) were awaiting their next mission last Friday while stationed in Bishop. Their home base is in Cedar City, Utah.