Columbia (Boeing) CH-47 Chinook

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Boeing (Columbia) Model: CH-47 (CH234). Nickname: Chinook
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: Twin turboshaft

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 7/25/2026
> Number of Hours Flown: 9
> Number of Times Flown: 7
> Other Aircraft Models Associated:
CH-47, H-47, CH234

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 103
> Date First Flown: 4/5/2000
> Location First Flown: NAS Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: US Army ATTC, Anderson

Recollections: I first flew the Chinook at Pax River, when an Army unit (I believe it was the Army test center) brought one in for Qual Evals.  Years later I flew several projects as an FAA test pilot on the Chinook.  Later, as a consultant DER, I flew more test flights for Chinooks fire-fighting projects. Several companies have been able to get surplus Chinooks on a restricted type certificate and Columbia Helicopters has the civilian version’s type certificate as well.

The Chinook is a beast and a mechanical marvel.  For a US helo, it’s huge..the fuselage is huge, the blades are huge, it’s just big.  And all the rotating components and gearboxes are a wonder to behold.  It flies well and, owing to a large payload, it’s very in demand for firefighting, and placement/movement of cargo of all kinds.