Resource Hub Firefighting, utility operator uses a fleet of Erickson S-64 Air Cranes to assist companies in Europe. One interpretation of the Italian national flag’s colors is that they stand for hope (green), faith (white), and charity (red). With European Air Crane’s firefighting and fire-suppression work contributing to the safety and protection of Italy, those definitions couldn’t be more appropriate for the Florence, Tuscany–based company. The wildfire season gives European Air Crane crews the chance to spread hope, keep the faith, and fulfill their desires to help others through charity. Italy experiences several wildfire seasons. The first occurs between June and October, another lasts from February to April, and a winter firefighting season in the Italian Alps falls in between. Overall, the country experiences about 350 wildfires per year, each averaging about 50 acres in size. That all takes place in a country roughly the size of the US state of Arizona, with varied environments ranging from the high-altitude Italian Alps to dry, desertlike climates and islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Like many places in the world, Italy’s climate has become hotter and drier in recent years, with wildfires growing more unpredictable and serious. European Air Crane provides services for Vigili del Fuoco, Italy’s national fire and rescue service. European S-64 Operator European Air Crane is the only company certified and licensed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for the use of the Erickson S-64 Air Crane in Europe. The company operates six S-64s that spend 95% of their time on firefighting operations. Its main customer is Vigili del Fuoco, Italy’s national firefighting agency, which owns some of the aircraft that European Air Crane operates. The operator prefers the Air Crane for firefighting because of its low operating costs, strong lifting capacity (up to 11 tons), speed, and power. In firefighting configuration, with a tank integrated into the aircraft’s structure, the helicopter can load 10,000 L of water in about 40 seconds. Company president Anna Maria Blower grew up with the organization watching her father, Gian Franco Blower, who began operating an S-64 Air Crane in Italy in 1999 and founded European Air Crane in 2005. She started working at the company early on as the marketing director and became president in 2019. “He’s been in the business for over 50 years,” Blower says of her father, who has also served on the VAI (formerly HAI) Board of Directors. “Thanks to his many aviation connections, he became acquainted with the S-64. He saw an opportunity for it in Europe and proposed the aircraft to the Italian Civil Protection.” Utility, Heavy-Lift, and Maintenance Services In addition to firefighting operations, European Air Crane has provided helicopter support for jobs that include installing large antennas, constructing ski lifts, putting rooftop air-conditioning systems into place, building power-line trellises, and transporting wind turbines and heavy machinery for companies in the oil-and-gas sector. Anna Maria Blower is also president of European Air Crane’s partner maintenance organization, SIMA (Società Italiana di Manutenzioni Aeronautiche). SIMA maintains European Air Crane’s fleet and Vigili del Fuoco’s aircraft in addition to those of other operators.
