History

Since 1980, CHI Aviation has evolved from a local heavy-lift operator into a global leader in aerial transport and specialty aviation services.
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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 globally.

chi founded
1980

CHI Founded

1996

Chris Turner acquires CHI

Began wildland fire supports ops
1998

Began Wildland Fire Support Ops

Part 135 Certification
1999

Obtained Part 135 Certification

Started Preferred Avionics
2004

Launched Part 145 Repair Station

Helimax Aviation
2008

Acquired Helimax Aviation

Hoist Ops
2010

Obtained Class D 133 Certification

2010

Obtained Part 135 Ten or More Certification

Obtained CARB Certification
2011

Obtained CARB Certification

Afghan Operations Begin
2011

Began Operations for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan

SARS/HEMS Operations Begin
2012

SARS/HEMS Operations Begin

S-92 Deployed to Brunei
2014

Began S-98 SAR operations

Acquired CH-47Ds
2014

Acquired CH-47Ds

night vision
2015

Obtained RW & FW Air Ambulance and NVG OpSpecs Approvals

2x Afghan Task Orders Awarded
2017

2x Afghanistan Task Orders Awarded

2019

Began CASA 212 Operations

Began CASA 212 Operations
2019

Began Operations in East Africa Supporting SOCAFRICA

2019

Completion of CH-47D Tank for Firefighting

2020

Founded Resolute ISR

2020

Began PR/CASEVAC Operations in Yemen Supporting SOCCENT

XRDI
2021

Acquired XRD Engine Technology Designed for UAV Business

Autec
2022

Began Contract Supporting NSWC at AUTEC in the Bahamas and US Navy at PMRF Barking Sands - Hawaii

Haiti Ops
2023

Began Haiti Ops for WFP

Read more about the history of CHI:

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