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Columbia Helicopters
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Heavy-lift helicopter operator and maintenance provider
Columbia Helicopters
Work Here?
Heavy-lift helicopter operator and maintenance provider
Overview
Columbia Helicopters operates heavy-lift helicopters worldwide and provides depot-level maintenance for aircraft and components for commercial and military customers. Its flight services move oversized loads—such as power line towers, pipelines, steel, and ski lifts—and it supports timber harvesting by helicopter, military operations, petroleum exploration, firefighting, and other missions. The company also offers engine, transmission, hydraulic, avionics, sheet metal, testing, painting, and other on-site or depot maintenance services. Its goal is to deliver reliable, safe heavy-lift transportation and comprehensive aircraft maintenance worldwide while maintaining a long history as a leader in helicopter logging.
About Columbia Helicopters
Industries
Aerospace
Defense
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$560M
Headquarters
Aurora, Illinois
Founded
1957
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- 2025 Turkey firefighting renewal deployed four Columbia 234s for fifth straight season.
- 2026 CEO Melanie Bergier replaces David Balevic, signaling leadership refresh and execution focus.
- Piasecki program targets first 107-III deliveries in 2025, with 90 airframes identified.
What critics are saying
- 107-III certification slip stalls revenue; Piasecki targeted 2025 deliveries, and 2026 evidence is thin.
- Turkey firefighting contracts expire seasonally; losing CMC in 2026 removes four deployed aircraft.
- Aging CH-47D, CH-46E, and 107-II fleets face parts scarcity and obsolescence, threatening business continuity.
What makes Columbia Helicopters unique
- Columbia owns FAA type certificate for Model 107-II and commercializes 107-III with Piasecki.
- It operates and sustains heavy-lift tandem-rotor fleets for military, firefighting, and infrastructure work.
- Turkish operations and remanufacturing expertise let it monetize surplus CH-47D and CH-46E airframes.
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Funding
Total Funding
$560M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
1 Rounds
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Vacation
Wellness Program
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 2%1 year growth
↑ 2%2 year growth
↑ 2%Helicarrier has acquired two Model 234 UT Chinooks from Columbia Helicopters, to support its aerial operations across a number of roles.
Heavy-lift, tandem rotary specialist Columbia Helicopters is teaming up with Piasecki Aircraft to upgrade its Model 107-II aircraft.
AURORA, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia Helicopters (“Columbia” or the “Company”) announced today that David Balevic has been appointed President CEO, effective immediately. Balevic will succeed Michael Tremlett, who is departing the company to pursue other opportunities. Columbia Helicopters is a global leader in the heavy and super heavy-lift helicopter sector, with a more than 60-year track record of innovation, technological firsts, and industry milestones. The Company manufactures, provides sustainment services for, and operates the Model 234, CH-47D Chinook, and Model 107-II tandem-rotor helicopters. The Company’s principal customers include the U.S. military, foreign allied militaries, U.S
AURORA, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia Helicopters (“Columbia” or the “Company”) announced today that David Balevic has been appointed President CEO, effective immediately. Balevic will succeed Michael Tremlett, who is departing the company to pursue other opportunities. Columbia Helicopters is a global leader in the heavy and super heavy-lift helicopter sector, with a more than 60-year track record of innovation, technological firsts, and industry milestones. The Company manufactures, provides sustainment services for, and operates the Model 234, CH-47D Chinook, and Model 107-II tandem-rotor helicopters. The Company’s principal customers include the U.S. military, foreign allied militaries, U.S
Columbia Helicopters announced a new development program to redefine Chinook commercial operations worldwide.
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About Columbia Helicopters
Industries
Aerospace
Defense
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$560M
Headquarters
Aurora, Illinois
Founded
1957
Columbia Helicopters is Hiring for 9 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today