Day in the life with Erickson Inc. | N159AC| Philadelphia, PA - Denver, CO | 6 March 2021

[@berticusmaximus8381]

I believe this was a CT Army Guard bird once. If so, I crewed and maintained it before we gave them to Erickson. It is so amazing to see them still flying and the tool box thing is outstanding. Great to hear one start up again.

[@BDudasProductions]

Sure was... 69-18476 US Army. Would love to see some old pictures of it if you have them. [e-mail] Thanks for your time and service.

[@JKyle-ii1mz]

2:33, that is probably the cleanest windscreen I've ever seen on a bird. Props to the person who cleans that!

[@thedoorider]

I used to put RainX on my Hawk windshields all the time. Easer to clean & who needs wipers after RainX? LOL. Great job Brain!!

[@budwickman446]

This answers a lot of questions I've had over the years. Erickson in C.P. is just about 23 miles from where I live in So. OR. You folks rock !

[@russbay2963]

Absolutely one of the Best "shared perspectives " of Life on the "Fly"! Enjoyed it very Much! Thank You!

[@mikethespike6304]

Great Job in front and behind the camera Brian ! I think it's awesome ! Congratulations on becoming a Crew Chief. miss the people the travel always , job some times M.L.F. retired in Central point

[@natopeacekeeper97]

I remember growing up during the Vietnam War and reading about the different helicopters being used there. It's amazing to see the S-64s still flying. Thanks for an amazing video showing all the many steps and flights which go into a typical mission. Very well done.

[@autom7134]

Incredible. As a want to be professional pilot this was mind blowing. I absolutely LOVE the Aircrane, getting to even fly in one would be amazing. Funny how at this level of sophistication the pilots no longer do pre-flight, you need a dedicated engineer. The more I fly and the more I learn, the more I appreciate the mechanics that keep helicopters in the air. Y'all rock. Last thought, I don't want to imagine flying backseat in that pod from the east coast to Denver. Thanks so much for taking the time to film, edit and post this up for all of us fanboys out here. Best of luck.

[@keithgill9465]

Pilots preflight as well.

[@kcox3090]

I have just purchased the ICM 1/35 scale model of the early Sikorsky CH-54 A Tarhe in the army configuration that I want to do some changes on, to turn it into the "Elvis" fire bomber. The images captured here will be of an enormous help in making that change possible. Just amazing. Thanks for posting a snippet of your 'day'.

[@chrisharris7893]

What a beautiful, ugly, functional piece of machinery. The wiring harness running up the windshield frame.. Thank you for posting this.

[@robertweber1816]

Thank you Brian. A treat to see your work in action.

[@wojciechzakrzewski3709]

wow, I admire professionals like you guys, what a cool job

[@petecoppola5428]

Nice to see 84 flying again.

[@DellAnderson]

Really great up-close-and-person video view of what's involved in maintaining and flying these big birds. We have a sky crane stationed near us for Cal Fire and it's an impressive sight even when viewed from outside the fence. It's still mind boggling to me that not only can these fly, but they can safely carry tons of weight. Thanks for sharing your awesome job day.

[@shugardad]

This is a great video. Something said brought back a memory from my not so illustrious flying career aloong time ago. I always viewed the mechanics/technicians as part of the crew. They had our life in their hands. When we parked the plane for the night. If time would permit. We would drink coffee and bullshit for hours. Sometimes we would watch them work and pick their brains. That is a great way for a Pilot to learn more about their airplanes then any training or ops manual. We were family.

[@matthiasgraveel9191]

Dam the crane operator has an awesome job and view too

[@Alan-hr5lu]

So cool man. Thanks for sharing! Bird looks great. You definitely take great pride in it.

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Fabulous! Well done! Thanks for sharing!

[@glennjones5349]

Great Video. I was a road warrior for 5 years. Tough job. It was always very gratifying and i enjoyed it most of the time. One thing about being a tech on the road, everyone else is at the hotel nice and warm/cool . The Tech is working outside in all weather conditions cause the aircraft gotta go in the morning.

[@doctahoe8663]

Out standing job Bryan

[@donaldjones3580]

I crewed S-58T's and S-61's for Carson Helicopters, nice memories. At we could get up and walk around while flying.

[@robertsamspon4232]

Good job bro, safe travels.

[@andycannarella]

Great video. It really brought it home when you flew into Newark, OH I flew in there in a charter on 9/11 just as all traffic was getting grounded. I watched the second plane hit the WTC on the TV inside the Aviation Works building. Never been back but this brought back lots of memories.

[@BDudasProductions]

Wow thank you for sharing this story! I imagine it would have brought a lot of memories on that day. I was in symphany band class Freshman year! Wouldn't have thought anyone else would have been to Newark, OH.

[@springgarden1]

Thanks you very much for sharing this video with us well appreciated one love

[@AA5RB]

hay ! I first saw this video from offical Erickson, with so much to say but so shy. 1: As a student having to do pre-flights, that I absolutely enjoy cause we can touch and admire everything - you're the oh so lucky guy. 2: suprised & bummed out, down the line, pilots wont get to do that or as much anymore (reduction of workload) but so happy for you. 3: So lucky to be the "third pilot", I'd really wish. 4:PA->DEN long trip - I intend for a longer trip like that myself in a 300C 😅 and so shocked to learn Erickson is on the east - I went all the way to Oregon just to see this aircrane in person. just to know it is real! 5: As dreamers dream, thank you so much for sharing and filming. That's a pretty bird and it is a wondrous journey that we thank you for inviting us. You made this great.

[@BDudasProductions]

Thank you so much 🙏 All the best in your career choice. Hope more will join this avenue of aviation maintenance. Blessings

[@AA5RB]

@@BDudasProductions I hope so too. That 100 hr / annual inspection regulation makes it so that pilots can't do with out certified technicians. Great motivator for aircraft owners. So disabling, lol. Don't ever get bored, you do a great thing ❤ Thanks for Sharing

[@BDudasProductions]

@@AA5RB Absolutely, thank you as well for sharing your experience. Keep up the great work and continue to have the passion and hopefully soon you can join the crew :) Dreams do come true! Kind regards

[@AA5RB]

@@BDudasProductions oh boy. you give me such great motivation and inspiration. i dont know which would be better, playing with the big boy toys or meeting you one day. tough choice. lol 👌

[@AA5RB]

​@@BDudasProductions All jokes aside, you convinced me. where did you get your AMT certification to work on S-64's. I am confident there is a "type" rating? Because you are in the Mountain West area, you have a better edge. SUU has taken on AMT(H) more ferociously, but i sense location has a lot to do with it. Did you start with Erickson right after graduation and where'd you go? Did you know, on the east coast, there is no such thing as an Associates Degree in Aviation, but in the west, it is a thing. Sarcastically, We are being scammed here.😅

[@clydelindsay6657]

In the 80’s the Army National Guard would fly in a S64 like this one and a Huey and a Bell Scout helicopter along with tanks personnel carriers and the like, it was the Best. We could sit in the pilots seat , it was great fun and then we would watch them all takeoff.

[@jerryjohns7358]

Hi Brian, new sub. Thanks for sharing.

[@williamgibb5557]

How comfortable is that rear seat? What a view from an amazing flying mo-chine! Stay safe, happy and healthy, my friends!

[@sjvche7675]

Had the good luck to see one up close near the OR/CA border in '02 on a 600K Ac. wide fire, awesome machine, great they're still making them in OR.

[@medmark]

Its wild this Helo is a 1970! 53 years old. Whats even crazier is right now its in Egypt working...

[@johndallessandro7640]

Worked with these guys at GM plant in Linden bout 25 years ago. It was a great experience ! 😀👍

[@HuasoPodrido]

The CH-54 was being retired when I started my army aviation service back in the early 80's

[@chrisbostic9678]

This is so cool 😎

[@patricioherrerao.9311]

Este S-64F con matrícula N159AC y apodo "Camille" Opero en Chile temporada de incendios forestales año 2019 - 2020 Opero para Bosques Arauco.

[@jamesweir2943]

what a cool job.

[@wheelstracksdude9631]

Great one! Very good editing!

[@user-jo1vf7ny6v]

Hello Brian, where can i get or buy this winter cap. Thanks, good job!

[@BDudasProductions]

This was a 2006 edition and no longer sold in the tool crib. I have one similar with the new logo if interested. Kind regards

[@Morris615]

You guys using a bluetooth drop cord? Mind sharing the make?

[@BDudasProductions]

Using the Jupiter JA66 Wireless Intercom System with GoPro HERO 5-10 Audio Recorder Headset Adapter - Helicopter

[@sanfranciscobay]

Does the person facing rear fly the Helicopter when loading and unloading?

[@BDudasProductions]

Yes, the aft seat pilot has control over the collective and electronic remote stick assy for aft seat operations while hovering the aircraft over the load with the ability to release the lower hooks and also having access to release the upper book for an emergency situation.

[@sanfranciscobay]

@@BDudasProductions Does the rear seat have full flying controls, Collective, Cyclic and Rudder Pedals?

[@BDudasProductions]

@@sanfranciscobay Only Collective and Cyclic abilities. Yaw Authority was removed years ago. The forward right seat pilot will move yaw as necessary.

[@marshallcarter6106]

@@BDudasProductions Are the controls reversed to make backward flying easier or do they get used to it?

[@BDudasProductions]

@@marshallcarter6106 They are reversed. While facing aft, move cyclic to the right, it moves the aircraft left. At times we will use a label maker and identify each direction accordingly to aircraft position.

[@cdarting91]

Does the guy in the back have flight controls? What is his joystick for?

[@BDudasProductions]

Yes, the aft seat pilot has control of the flight controls for setting loads. Also can be used for take off and landing. Both cyclic and collective authority. The joy stick is the cyclic and controls fore/aft/left/right movements at 10% authority. Yaw authority has been disabled and front right seat pilot (SIC) controls yaw when necessary.

[@jadler10]

Is the guy in the pod required crew? Either way, what's the purpose of having someone in the pod during ferry flight? Do they need to be a rated pilot?

[@BDudasProductions]

Pod as in the aft seat? Yes, as an aft seat rated pilot in control while setting construction loads during job. Only a passenger seat during ferry flight.

[@scottholman3982]

The crew chief flies with the bird.

[@mehdi9933]

So the main gear's Do not break?

[@BDudasProductions]

No

[@scout005]

Great Vid. Don't really need the music, though. Cool as it is.

[@reyanself226]

What about u r BMW hp bike

[@CaptainK007]

Average day in the office 👍

[@clayz1]

Music dies not belong in this video.

[@ivannoneyah7888]

You have one of the best office view ever