Columbia Introduces 234SP Chinook Helicopter

Columbia Helicopters plans to introduce another model of the Boeing Vertol CH-47D Chinook tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopter. The Aurora, Oregon-based helicopter manufacturer, operator, and MRO provider announced this week that it will convert existing CH-47D military rotorcraft to produce the commercial 234 Special Purpose (234SP) helicopter, which it expects to enter service in 2025.

According to Columbia, the 234SP will retain the performance of the CH-47D while leveraging the design characteristics of the Model 234 Chinook, a commercial version of the iconic military helicopter.

Columbia purchased the type certificate for the Model 234 from Boeing in 2006 and produces the aircraft for civilian applications such as passenger and cargo transport, medevac, firefighting, logging, construction, and oil extraction operations. It is one of the largest standard-transport-category, multi-mission, super-heavy-lift helicopters in the world, capable of lifting 25,000 pounds of payload and seating up to 44 passengers.

“Our introduction of the 234SP into the market marks a new chapter in Chinook commercial operations,” said Columbia Helicopters president and CEO Mike Tremlett. “We are thrilled to lead the way in unlocking unprecedented opportunities for operators with this groundbreaking aircraft, enabling them to optimize their fleets and achieve unparalleled performance and efficiency.”

Columbia has already secured at least two customers for the 234SP, including launch customer Rotak Helicopter Services, a CH-47D operator based in Alaska. “We are excited to bring this new opportunity to the industry and offer a new option for clients in the domestic heavy lift market," said Rotak president Ely Woods. "Our partnership with Columbia and continued support has allowed a unique opportunity to change theindustry. We are proud to be the launch customer for this new endeavor.”

While Columbia works to obtain FAA type certification for the 234SP in the next year, the company is also closing in on a supplemental type certificate (STC) that will allow it to install GPMS International’s Foresight MX health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) on the CH-47D. Columbia and GPMS expect the STC, which will cover both new-build helicopters and retrofits for in-service models, to gain approval this year.

“With the divesture of these aircraft from militaries around the world, commercial operators are acquiring them for a fraction of the original price. But replacement parts are expensive, and inventory of key components can be very scarce. That’s where Foresight MX comes in,” said Ronnie Ries, v-p of marketing at GPMS. “With its predictive capabilities, CH-47 operators can turn unscheduled events into scheduled maintenance. Additionally, the integrated rotor track and balance capability will significantly reduce the headaches operators experience.”

Columbia is also working to redesign the Model 234 cockpit in collaboration with Genesys Aerosystems, the company announced Wednesday during the Heli-Expo convention. The digital flight deck upgrade will come with advanced avionics systems, more intuitive interfaces, and “cutting-edge” navigation equipment.

Following certification, which is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2025, the revamped digital cockpit will come standard on all new-build Model 234 Chinooks. It will also be available as a retrofit for existing aircraft.