History

Safe, Reliable, Quality Air Since 1980
Founded in 1980 by Don Werner and Pete Moyer, for the first 16 years of our existence our operations were largely local, our fleet was small, and our focus was on our specialization — heavy-lift aerial construction (hence the company’s name—Construction Helicopters Inc.).
In 1996, after the company was acquired by Chris Turner, we began to notch considerable operational milestones with increasing regularity, as we broadened our scope of operating certificates, aircraft, the sectors we serviced, and where we flew. Today, CHI Aviation leads the industry in the provision of aerial crane, US Department of Defense-approved fixed- and rotary-wing passenger and cargo transport, aeromedical services, aerial firefighting, Search-and-Rescue (SAR), logistics support and ad hoc passenger transport services from bases in Howell, MI; Sacramento, CA; Afghanistan; and East Africa.
In 1996, after the company was acquired by Chris Turner, we began to notch considerable operational milestones with increasing regularity, as we broadened our scope of operating certificates, aircraft, the sectors we serviced, and where we flew. Today, CHI Aviation leads the industry in the provision of aerial crane, US Department of Defense-approved fixed- and rotary-wing passenger and cargo transport, aeromedical services, aerial firefighting, Search-and-Rescue (SAR), logistics support and ad hoc passenger transport services from bases in Howell, MI; Sacramento, CA; Afghanistan; and East Africa.

Timeline
1980
1996
Chris Turner Acquires CHI
1998
1999
2004
2008
2010
Obtained Part 135 Ten or More Certification
2011
2012
2014
2015
Obtained RW & FWAir Ambulance and NVG OpSpecs Approvals
2017
BOA With USTRANSCOM for Air Ambulance
2018
99% Fleetwide ORR
2019
Began Operations in East Africa Supporting SOCAFRICA
Sold Preferred Avionics
Completion of CH-47D Tank for Firefighting
2020
Founded Resolute ISR
Began PR/CASEVAC Operations in Yemen Supporting SOCCENT
Read more about the history of CHI:
See the 2014 Vertical Magazine Feature