Erickson
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Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Erickson Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturing and aviation-services company best known for producing, maintaining, and operating the S-64 Aircrane heavy-lift helicopter. The company originated in the logging industry. In 1969, founder Jack Erickson leased a Sikorsky S-61 to evaluate whether helicopters could improve logging operations. The experiment led him to seek a larger aircraft, and in 1971 he purchased three S-64 Skycranes from Sikorsky Aircraft and established Erickson Air-Crane. The company initially used its aircraft for logging-related work, but quickly expanded into power-line construction, firefighting, industrial lifting, and other specialized aviation assignments. Its Aircranes were used in high-rise construction and, beginning in 1973, to replace heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment on the roofs of tall buildings. In 1974, Erickson developed an anti-rotation device that improved the stability and maneuverability of suspended loads. The technology helped the company undertake demanding infrastructure work, including the construction of power-line towers. A major strategic turning point came in 1992, when Erickson acquired the S-64 type certification and manufacturing rights from Sikorsky. This transformed the company from primarily an operator of specialized helicopters into the type's manufacturer and principal global operator. Erickson subsequently introduced more than 1,350 improvements to the S-64's airframe, instrumentation, and payload systems. The helicopter became particularly visible in aerial firefighting, where its large water tank and heavy-lift capability allow it to attack wildfires and support ground crews, but the platform is also used for construction, utility work, disaster response, and industrial transport. Ownership and corporate structure changed several times in the 2000s and 2010s. ZM Private Equity Fund acquired the company in 2007, and headquarters moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2009. Erickson pursued a public listing and completed an initial public offering on Nasdaq in April 2012, while ZM retained a controlling stake. In 2013, the company acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for a reported $250 million and also pursued an oil-and-gas aviation acquisition involving Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petróleo. The expansion increased the company's scale but also added financial pressure. The company changed its name from Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated to Erickson Inc. in February 2014. In 2015, it reorganized around Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO. Difficult market conditions and acquisition-related debt contributed to a Chapter 11 filing in November 2016. Erickson continued operating during the reorganization, returned to private ownership, and emerged from bankruptcy protection in May 2017. Erickson remains associated primarily with the S-64 Aircrane, while its broader activities include rotary- and fixed-wing aviation services, government support, aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Its operations are international, and the company has been described as operating a fleet of 69 rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, including 20 S-64 helicopters. Its positioning is that of a specialist provider for missions requiring aircraft, equipment, and operational expertise beyond the capabilities of conventional helicopters.
History
Erickson's origins lie in Jack Erickson's attempt to apply helicopters to the logging industry. In 1969, he leased a Sikorsky S-61 from Columbia Helicopters founder Wes Lematta and used it to test the practicality of helicopter-supported logging. The trial convinced Erickson that a larger machine was needed. He purchased three Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes and founded Erickson Air-Crane in December 1971. The business soon expanded beyond logging. Erickson used its Aircranes in power-line construction and firefighting, and in 1973 began using them to lift and replace HVAC equipment on high-rise buildings. In 1974, the company developed an anti-rotation device for suspended loads. By stabilizing loads and improving control, the device increased the aircraft's usefulness for precision lifting and helped Erickson enter power-line tower construction and related infrastructure work. The company's most important product and corporate milestone came in 1992, when it purchased the S-64 type certificate and manufacturing rights from Sikorsky Aircraft. Erickson thereafter became both the manufacturer and the largest operator of S-64 Aircranes. The company states that it made more than 1,350 improvements to the helicopter's airframe, instrumentation, and payload systems. The S-64's ability to carry large external loads and deliver substantial quantities of water made it especially valuable in aerial firefighting, while its lifting performance supported construction, utility, industrial, and disaster-response assignments. In 2007, Erickson was sold to ZM Private Equity Fund. The headquarters moved to Portland in 2009. The company later pursued a public offering, completing its Nasdaq IPO on April 11, 2012, with ZM retaining 63 percent ownership. Expansion followed in 2013 through the acquisition of Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for a reported $250 million. Erickson also acquired or pursued an oil-and-gas aviation operation associated with Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petróleo, with completion expected in 2013. The corporate name changed to Erickson Inc. in February 2014. In 2015, the company organized its activities into Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO. The Evergreen transaction was partly debt-financed, and the resulting leverage, combined with challenging market conditions, contributed to a Chapter 11 filing in November 2016. Erickson remained operational during the restructuring, returned to private ownership, and emerged from bankruptcy protection in May 2017. On August 31, 2017, Doug Kitani became chief executive officer and a director. Kitani had previously led IAP Worldwide Services and had experience in private investment and general management roles involving Honeywell and General Electric. Erickson's later identity centers on specialized aviation rather than mass-market aircraft production: it operates and supports a mixed fleet of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, provides government and commercial aviation services, and manufactures and maintains the S-64 Aircrane. The company also owns the Erickson Air-Crane Admin Offices Heliport in Central Point, Oregon, identified by the FAA location code OG58.
- 2017
Emergence from bankruptcy
[1]The company emerged from bankruptcy protection in May and returned to private ownership.
- 2016
Chapter 11 restructuring
[1]Erickson filed for Chapter 11 protection in November amid debt and business pressures.
- 2014
Corporate name changed to Erickson Inc.
[1]The company adopted the Erickson Inc. name in February.
- 2013
Evergreen helicopter-unit acquisition
[1]Erickson acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit.
- 2012
Initial public offering
[1]Erickson completed its Nasdaq initial public offering on April 11, while ZM retained majority ownership.
- 2007
Acquired by ZM Private Equity Fund
[1]ZM Private Equity Fund acquired the company.
- 1992
S-64 manufacturing rights acquired
[1]Erickson purchased the S-64 type certification and manufacturing rights from Sikorsky.
- 1974
Anti-rotation load-control device developed
[1]The company invented an anti-rotation device that stabilized suspended loads and improved Aircrane performance.
- 1973
High-rise HVAC lifting work introduced
[1]Erickson began using Aircranes to lift and replace HVAC equipment on high-rise buildings.
- 1971
Erickson Air-Crane founded
[1]After purchasing three S-64 Skycranes from Sikorsky, Jack Erickson founded Erickson Air-Crane in December.
Products and positioning
A specialist heavy-lift aviation company serving firefighting, infrastructure construction, utility, government, industrial, and other missions requiring exceptional external-load capacity.
Heavy-lift helicopter · 1971
S-64 Aircrane
The S-64 Aircrane is Erickson's defining aircraft platform. Derived from the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane, it is designed for high-capacity external-load work. Erickson manufactures, operates, maintains, and upgrades the type under rights acquired from Sikorsky in 1992. The aircraft is used for aerial firefighting, construction, power-line and utility work, industrial lifting, disaster response, and other missions where large loads must be moved with precision. Erickson has reported extensive improvements to the airframe, instrumentation, and payload systems.
Aviation service
Aerial firefighting services
Erickson operates heavy-lift helicopters in wildfire-response missions. The S-64's large water-carrying capability allows it to deliver repeated drops over fires and support ground-based firefighting teams. This service is one of the company's most visible applications and a central part of its specialist aviation positioning.
Aviation service
Commercial and government aviation services
Erickson provides specialized rotary- and fixed-wing aviation services for commercial and government customers. The work includes heavy lifting, infrastructure support, industrial operations, and mission-specific aircraft services. In 2015, these activities were organized into Commercial Aviation Services and Government Aviation Services business units.
Aircraft manufacturing and maintenance
Manufacturing and MRO
The company's manufacturing and MRO activities cover production support, upgrades, maintenance, repair, and overhaul associated with its specialized aircraft operations, particularly the S-64 fleet. This capability combines aircraft ownership and operation with lifecycle support and engineering improvements.
Brand decisions
2016
Chapter 11 restructuringOtherBackground
Acquisition-related debt and challenging business conditions placed pressure on the company.
Action taken
Erickson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2016 while continuing to operate.
Aftermath
The company emerged in May 2017 and returned to private ownership.
2015
Reorganize into three business unitsStrategyBackground
Erickson reorganized its operations to separate its commercial, government, and industrial aircraft capabilities.
Action taken
The company established Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO units.
Aftermath
The structure clarified the company's principal operating and support activities before its subsequent financial restructuring.
2014
Rebrand as Erickson Inc.StrategyBackground
The former Erickson Air-Crane name emphasized one aircraft and service line while the company was broadening its aviation activities.
Action taken
The company changed its name to Erickson Inc. in February 2014.
Aftermath
The broader name supported a portfolio spanning commercial aviation, government services, manufacturing, and MRO.
2013
Acquire Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unitM&ABackground
Erickson pursued expansion of its helicopter-services platform and operating scale.
Action taken
The company acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit in a transaction reported at $250 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the business but was partly financed with debt, contributing to later financial pressure.
Reported transaction value. $250 million (2013)
1992
Acquire S-64 certification and manufacturing rightsStrategyBackground
Erickson sought greater control over the aircraft that defined its heavy-lift business.
Action taken
The company purchased the S-64 type certification and manufacturing rights from Sikorsky.
Aftermath
Erickson became the S-64's manufacturer and the world's largest operator, later introducing extensive technical and payload improvements.
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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