History

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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.
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Timeline

1980
”1980”

CHI Founded

CHI Founded
1996
”1996”

Chris Turner Acquires CHI

1998
”1998”

Began Wildland Fire Support Ops

Began Wildland Fire Support Ops
1999
”1999”

Obtained Part 135 Certification

Obtained Part 135 Certification
2004
”2004”

Started Preferred Avionics

Started Preferred Avionics
2008
”2008”

Acquired Helimax Aviation

Acquired Helimax Aviation
2010
”2010”

Obtained Class D 133 Certification

Obtained Class D 133 Certification
”2010”

Obtained Part 135 Ten or More Certification

2011
”2011”

Obtained CARB Certification

Obtained CARB Certification
”2011”

Afghan Operations Begin

Afghan Operations Begin
2012
”2012”

SARS/HEMS Operations Begin

SARS/HEMS Operations Begin
2014
”2014”

S-92 Deployed to Brunei

S-92 Deployed to Brunei
”2014”

Acquired CH-47Ds

Acquired CH-47Ds
2015
”2015”

CH-47D Deployed to Australia

CH-47D Deployed to Australia
”2015”

Obtained RW & FWAir Ambulance and NVG OpSpecs Approvals

2017
”2017”

BOA With USTRANSCOM for Air Ambulance

”2017”

2x Afghan Task Orders Awarded

2x Afghan Task Orders Awarded
2018
”2018”

99% Fleetwide ORR

2019
”2019”

Began CASA 212 Operations

Began CASA 212 Operations
”2019”

Began Operations in East Africa Supporting SOCAFRICA

”2019”

Sold Preferred Avionics

”2019”

Completion of CH-47D Tank for Firefighting

2020
”2020”

Founded Resolute ISR

”2020”

Began PR/CASEVAC Operations in Yemen Supporting SOCCENT

Read more about the history of CHI:

See the 2014 Vertical Magazine Feature