The S-64 Aircrane is the delivery system of choice over conventional land based methods when the terrain is excessively steep, prohibits land based access, or contains a highly erodable soil type. The Aircrane can deliver a standard mixture of hydroseed or lime suspension to steep hillside terrain or any other area that may be judged impractical for conventional systems. The application process is substantially accelerated with the high volume delivery and as low as 3-4 minute turn around times achieved with the S-64 Aircrane and the 2,650 gallon (~10,000 litre) tank.
Erickson Air-Crane also specializes in the delivery of Lime pellets to neutralize the acidity of the soil and allow plant life to flourish. The Helitanker, in the hydroseeding configuration, has applied over 1,050 tons of pellet lime in 5 days to 235 acres in preparation for hydroseed application. Erickson Air-Crane employs an advanced version of the hydroseed tank that features an on-board circulation system to keep a saturated mixture of lime and mulch in suspension during flight.
Re-growth after the Helitanker lime application and hydroseeding has proven to be dramatically beyond expectations. After a successful Helitanker hydroseeding operation in Kellogg, Idaho, growth was expected to be around 40 percent using contemporary terrain models provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Approximately six months later, re-growth was charted at 80 percent.