Billings Flying Service earns the first FAA Type Certificate for the Chinook CH-47D helicopter

Billings Flying Service Commercial Use CH-47D

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Billings Flying Service (Billings, MT) application for a restricted type certificate on the Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter. According to Al Blain, Co-owner of Billings Flying Service, this is the first and only type certificate for the CH-47D helicopter.

Billings Flying Service bought the first two CH-47Ds that were sold through military auctions earlier this year. They are one of three civilian operators to purchase the model, but the first to obtain the restricted category type certificate so quickly.

Billings Flying Service has uncommon experience operating heavy-lift helicopters such as Sikorsky S-61, Eurocopter 330J, and various Bell mediums. According to Blain this certificate will enable the Montana based company to integrate the CH-47D into their fleet. The team at Billings Flying Service is already completing modifications so the Chinooks can be fully optimized for the vehicle reference operations their clients require.

Billings Flying Service and CHI Aviation (formerly Construction Helicopters) have a longtime business relationship and for this reason CHI’s Chinooks will also use the Billings Flying Service Type Certificate.

Blain says the CH-47D will be the most capable heavy lift helicopter available in the western world. “Billings Flying Service has a backlog of customers who are excited to begin utilizing all of the extraordinary capabilities of this aircraft,” he said.

Gary Blain, Co-owner of Billings Flying Service said, “The CH-47D helicopter ushers in a new era of heavy-lift capability. The CH-47Ds will be incorporated into our fleet for our customers for every mission segment it currently performs including construction and firefighting. The Chinook offers the heaviest lift capacity available and will outperform the Sky Crane considerably on a hot, high day. This will make the CH-47D the most productive helicopter there is.”

Copyright Photo:PRNewsFoto/Billings Flying Service. Boeing CH-47D Chinook N562AJ (90-00185) poses for the camera after its refurbishing.