An "ugly" bird?? I don't think so. Sometimes you need to forget the latest technology and just go with what works! I can't see retireing something like this.It's proven itself many times over so why not just keep it active and upgraded??
@M3JakeL I think this is probably a true statement, Fuel weight is heavy remember, there are many factors that come into this training for Helicopter pilots that are training for a specialist job, not only for the Helicopter but for the pilot too, its a test to put pilots under pressure so that when it comes to the real thing, they can cope and act in the appropriate manner when the situation really arises in combat or normal everyday sorties / missions. I don't think its Bullsh*t at all :)
Cool chopper. I was always intrigued by them. I work 60's and 53's. But that dude talking about testing his pilots by flying until the fuel lights come on and then having them hoist a bus... come on. A bit OTT don't you think? Really, until the fuel lights come on? What the F is the point of that? A test to see if you will continue to fly even if you think you're about to die? A bit stupid and a shame the put that in the video. Clearly the guy is talking out his ass.
@yomomsajohn it was all done in DC with the wizards down there. I am a former CH54B skycrane fligh engineer with a few hours under my belt. the army wanted to streamline rotary wing and use multi-mission type helo's like the 47. almost 100% of cranes were sold to the civilian side and are used daily and are maintained by numerous great companys to this day. I have aways been a Sikorsky guy. On a nice day flying around at 2500agl is like flying in a '72 full size caddy, -Bubba- OIF1 2003
@jvn1111 They own the manufacturing rights now, and I'm not sure but I think the part supply for it as well.. Don't quote me, but if I remember from an article I read, im sure you can ask Evergreen Aviation about all that..
My Dad flew cranes in VietNam, Ft. Eustis and Alaska. I believe he was the only pilot to actually airlift another crane in VietNam and with another Warrant Officer held a weight lift record in Alaska.
I used to work on CH-54B's with a company out west on USFS fires. Was my first mechanic job out of school - I still miss that helicopter. It was so simple, an 18 year old straight out of school could fix it - exactly who it was intended for.
It never failed to surprise me, this thing attracted people to it like a moth to a flame. It may as well have been Apollo's chariot on the flight ramp - people couldn't resist coming up, ooooh, ahhh, asking questions about it. Still do :)
The Army's loss is Ericson Helicopters gain. The CH-54 Tarhe "Sky Crane" now works in loggin operations and for the L.A. Fire Department putting out fires. It was only retired from the Army. They are still flying. You can't keep a good aircraft down.
My Dad flew these his last tour in Vietnam - I never got the chance to see him fly these helicopters, although I did watch him fly several others such as the Huey. It was with this aircraft that he received 2 Air Medals with V devices for Valor. My own hero, my Dad - 3 war veteran and not so much as a hangnail. Turned 84 years young this past April.
My initial encounter with one of these beasts was not a favorable one. I've got snapshots of one slingloading a battle damaged 155mm howitzer into LZ Hammond in 1966. They were taken about 15 seconds before it blew our GP Medium tent down, after we'd spent 1 hr, or so, putting it up. I will say that my opinion of them improved considerably after I saw the incredible loads they could carry.
@igotbored44 We have Russians here in my company and other companies I've worked at and it's funny how they all like to take credit (Russia) for great achievements - some, but not all appropriately. I give Igor Sikorsky a lot of credit for his achievement and courage, and America for being his Land of Opportunity.
Sikorsky is not a Russian company. It is a American company owned by United Technologies in Stanford Connecticut. Sikorsky Helecopter was founded in 1925 by Igor Sikorky who was an American who imigrated from Russia.
the Chinook stepped into the heavy lift role for the U.S. Army. Although an incredible bird in and of itself due to its toughness and versatility, in terms of sheer power the Chinook doesn't even come close.
First time I saw one was in Arizona where it was lifting sections of power transmission towers into place. Amazing how quiet it is in comparison to smaller helicopters.
An "ugly" bird?? I don't think so. Sometimes you need to forget the latest technology and just go with what works! I can't see retireing something like this.It's proven itself many times over so why not just keep it active and upgraded??
da959 2 weeks ago
@M3JakeL I think this is probably a true statement, Fuel weight is heavy remember, there are many factors that come into this training for Helicopter pilots that are training for a specialist job, not only for the Helicopter but for the pilot too, its a test to put pilots under pressure so that when it comes to the real thing, they can cope and act in the appropriate manner when the situation really arises in combat or normal everyday sorties / missions. I don't think its Bullsh*t at all :)
smileymike100 1 month ago
Cool chopper. I was always intrigued by them. I work 60's and 53's. But that dude talking about testing his pilots by flying until the fuel lights come on and then having them hoist a bus... come on. A bit OTT don't you think? Really, until the fuel lights come on? What the F is the point of that? A test to see if you will continue to fly even if you think you're about to die? A bit stupid and a shame the put that in the video. Clearly the guy is talking out his ass.
M3JakeL 1 month ago 3
@M3JakeL I could not agree more! I thought he sounded like an idiot and risking lives and the aircraft for a silly stunt is not a good idea.
kingg213 1 month ago
I used to live in Carson City I remember seeing this baby doing various missions in the area , it was always awsome
bearwoodbrown 1 month ago
Does anyone know why the retired these choppers?
yomomsajohn 2 months ago
@yomomsajohn it was all done in DC with the wizards down there. I am a former CH54B skycrane fligh engineer with a few hours under my belt. the army wanted to streamline rotary wing and use multi-mission type helo's like the 47. almost 100% of cranes were sold to the civilian side and are used daily and are maintained by numerous great companys to this day. I have aways been a Sikorsky guy. On a nice day flying around at 2500agl is like flying in a '72 full size caddy, -Bubba- OIF1 2003
rogerthathooah 2 weeks ago
@rogerthathooah Thanks for the reply :) !
yomomsajohn 2 weeks ago
Wow Betty, you are certainly a career girl...
audis2quattro1 2 months ago
holy fuck a female command sergeant major?
fuhQ2129 2 months ago
May be I can afford to buy one now.LOL.
jonnyasprin 3 months ago
We still use these choppers in australiafor the bushfires.. they are the best airial bombardment machines..... hands down.
unclebrowny 4 months ago
If a brilliant chopper has been decommissioned, what replaces it?
unclebrowny 4 months ago
nice glasses :55
thequesomanishere 5 months ago
There is a company called Erickson Air-Crane they making this one too, there base is in Oregon, USA
jvn1111 8 months ago
@jvn1111 They own the manufacturing rights now, and I'm not sure but I think the part supply for it as well.. Don't quote me, but if I remember from an article I read, im sure you can ask Evergreen Aviation about all that..
BrassAxe 5 months ago
@1:37 fat natalie portman
nikon1dsmarkIII 8 months ago
My Dad flew cranes in VietNam, Ft. Eustis and Alaska. I believe he was the only pilot to actually airlift another crane in VietNam and with another Warrant Officer held a weight lift record in Alaska.
elizabethann72 10 months ago
I used to work on CH-54B's with a company out west on USFS fires. Was my first mechanic job out of school - I still miss that helicopter. It was so simple, an 18 year old straight out of school could fix it - exactly who it was intended for.
It never failed to surprise me, this thing attracted people to it like a moth to a flame. It may as well have been Apollo's chariot on the flight ramp - people couldn't resist coming up, ooooh, ahhh, asking questions about it. Still do :)
CrimsonMarquis 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this is a piece of crap compared to the Mi-26 heavy lift
cogreza1 10 months ago
Why God? Why?
TheCottonTop 1 year ago
The Army's loss is Ericson Helicopters gain. The CH-54 Tarhe "Sky Crane" now works in loggin operations and for the L.A. Fire Department putting out fires. It was only retired from the Army. They are still flying. You can't keep a good aircraft down.
OneHoof 1 year ago 2
it just amazing how the ch54 can lift so much weight. i was in the military and oh how i loved just looking and watching the ch54.
alaitain 1 year ago
Cheer up people, its not the end of its flying days its been recruited into the civilian workforce. She shall fly again.
pommyrooter 1 year ago
Now that this air crane has been retired the logical question is what is it going to be replaced with?
xm377Moyocoyatzin 1 year ago
Both of the Sikorsky brothers had very similar designs. Even though they were seperated by 2 continents.
Myself I have 1,508.2 hrs in UH-60 Blackhawks. I will always trust their design and acft.
DobermansRock 1 year ago
Russians are the best in aerodynamics and Igor Sikorsky learn it in Russia.
Ayjanus 1 year ago
Excellent!! This sure is one amazing impressive helicopter!!
JackFlemingFan 1 year ago
My Dad flew these his last tour in Vietnam - I never got the chance to see him fly these helicopters, although I did watch him fly several others such as the Huey. It was with this aircraft that he received 2 Air Medals with V devices for Valor. My own hero, my Dad - 3 war veteran and not so much as a hangnail. Turned 84 years young this past April.
debmckay 1 year ago 35
@debmckay Good for your Dad...He is my hero as well. Thank him for his service to our country.
Nodena 1 year ago
this calls for a....
THEY DON'T MAKE EM LIKE THIS ANY MORE!
spazoflondon 1 year ago 2
Wikipedia SUCKZ! xD i Could Write that the Max ammount of people onboard the airbus A380-800 is 100 people AND EVERYBODY would Believe it xD
nikthepilot 2 years ago
@nikthepilot Only chumps would... and also there is an army of editors (like me) who would correct that false information on Wikipedia.
xm377Moyocoyatzin 1 year ago
@xm377Moyocoyatzin an' Than People Would Edit To false Again :P
nikthepilot 1 year ago
@nikthepilot That is why we have edit block. That way only serious editors can make changes to an article that is constantly vandalized.
xm377Moyocoyatzin 1 year ago
Excellent video, thanks!
SenorSpode 2 years ago
i flew this helicopter, im gonna miss it
humvee600 2 years ago
so big and nice!!! I wont to have it now!!!!
bladebooii297 2 years ago
at least the s64e and s64f are still out there....lots of them world wide,doing logging,firefighting and heavy lifts,awesome aircraft to be near.
Garrys300 2 years ago
My initial encounter with one of these beasts was not a favorable one. I've got snapshots of one slingloading a battle damaged 155mm howitzer into LZ Hammond in 1966. They were taken about 15 seconds before it blew our GP Medium tent down, after we'd spent 1 hr, or so, putting it up. I will say that my opinion of them improved considerably after I saw the incredible loads they could carry.
choprjock 2 years ago 2
it does look good with the pod on it
shgjlsfg 2 years ago 3
how did the US get thire hands on a 1962 Russian Skycrane? Seriously.
WiredrawnMurder45 2 years ago
These are Sikorsky Skycranes...not Russian birds...
frequentfiler 2 years ago
but... Sikorsky is a russian company... it just moved its HQ to the US...
igotbored44 2 years ago
@igotbored44 The guy is russian who flee the commies and founded his company in the US.
bigbattles 2 years ago 3
the company was founded in russsia. Then it moved. Simple as that.
igotbored44 2 years ago
Well Acording to wiki Sikorsky company was founded in 1925 in Roosevelt, New York and In 1929 the company moved to Stratford, Connecticut.
bigbattles 2 years ago 2
Oh well then, OK. My mistake.
But it was still founded by a russian guy.
igotbored44 2 years ago 2
@igotbored44 We have Russians here in my company and other companies I've worked at and it's funny how they all like to take credit (Russia) for great achievements - some, but not all appropriately. I give Igor Sikorsky a lot of credit for his achievement and courage, and America for being his Land of Opportunity.
halnwheels 3 months ago
Sikorsky is not a Russian company. It is a American company owned by United Technologies in Stanford Connecticut. Sikorsky Helecopter was founded in 1925 by Igor Sikorky who was an American who imigrated from Russia.
Neillil411 2 years ago 30
@Neillil411 American who emigrated from Russia? LOL!!! that's the whole idea.
heatseeker1222 3 months ago
No - Igor Sikorsky imigrated to the US and *THEN* began his pioneering work in the US.
Wikipedia entries are mass-moderated - hence, if there is an innacuracy or mistake, it's corrected by those who have backing information.
ScottKin 2 years ago 2
they bought it.
igotbored44 2 years ago
I was lucky enough to get in the cocpit of one of these.
TrainTrackTrav 2 years ago
if its getting retired whats its replacement??????????
shitbeforespade 2 years ago
I beleave the Sea Stalion.
TrainTrackTrav 2 years ago
the Chinook stepped into the heavy lift role for the U.S. Army. Although an incredible bird in and of itself due to its toughness and versatility, in terms of sheer power the Chinook doesn't even come close.
treetopflyer06 2 years ago
i realy don't understand why they retire it
william964 2 years ago
love how he takes his aviators off only at the very end. such a drama king.
Wellgot 2 years ago 2
First time I saw one was in Arizona where it was lifting sections of power transmission towers into place. Amazing how quiet it is in comparison to smaller helicopters.
twistcut 2 years ago
atleast the S-64 lives on to keep the Sky Crane Memory alive.
6V92TA 2 years ago
8 years on the CH54 the video brought tears to my eyes when it was retired and replaced with the chinook
retired pemery
10th special forces (A)
pemery1234 3 years ago
they shouldnt retire it!!!
vote through comments if you don't think it should leave!
tylerhadin 3 years ago
they did retire it
hjgw77 2 years ago
This was a long time ago, dummy.
b1cc2 2 years ago
Wonder why the sound is not synched to the video. Everyone starts speaking before their words are audible.
chuanist 3 years ago
Hey I live in Weaverville. I wasn't there at the time when they flew the lookout off but its cool to here about it.
wheeler295 3 years ago