Intercompany

News
Volume 29 No. 1 Spring 2007

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Columbia Helicopters
Celebrates It’s 50th Birthday
The company wasn’t much to look at in 1957.
A single, small helicopter flown by an owner who
sold rides on the weekend while continuing to drive
trucks during the week. The owner’s “staff” included
his wife and brothers, who would help out with
various tasks. Not surprisingly, it was the support of
his family that made the most difference in the
success of his company.
In the infancy of the civilian helicopter industry,
the story isn’t much different from many other single
owner/operator businesses that sprang up around
the world. However, Wes Lematta saw that the
helicopter, almost a novelty at the time, could be-
come so much more than a means of transporting
people from one point to another.
Wes dreamed, and he dreamed BIG. Wes (at left) with brothers Ed (seated), Bill and Jim
Wes’ fledgling company was Columbia Helicop- (kneeling) at the Swan Island facility in June 1966.
ters – always plural even when he owned only one
helicopter – and his vision has made his company
into what is today, the world leader in commercial heavy-lift helicopter operations. Columbia Helicopters
Continued on Page 4

Columbia Helicopters Employees Garner International Recognition

Three Take HAI Honors
In hockey,scoring three times is
called a hat trick.
Columbia Helicopters’ employ-
ees recently scored a hat trick
when they picked up three profes-
sional awards from the Helicopter
Association International (HAI).
This organization annually recog-
nizes individuals and teams in 13
professionally related categories.
Columbia employees receiving
recognition this year are as follows:
Papua New Guinea (PNG) Mainte-
nance Manager Ron Gilroy was
cited as HAI’s Maintenance Techni-
cian of the Year; Command Pilot
Dale Weir was named Pilot of the
Year, and HAI recognized Richard
“Cheech” Wolfgang as Aviation
Repair Specialist of the Year. The
awards will be presented at the
HAI’s “Salute to Excellence” ban-
quet at the annual HeliExpo trade
show on March 2, 2007.
“The HAI make their selections
from some of the best people in
the world of helicopter aviation,”
said Mike Fahey, President of
Columbia Helicopters. “In select-
ing Cheech, Dale and Ron, they’ve
honored three incredibly talented
and deserving individuals. My
congratulations to each of them.”
Continued on Page 8
Words from The President
Michael Fahey, President

I would like to begin by sharing some thoughts about what Colum-

bia Helicopters’ 50th Anniversary means to me. I was first associated
with the company as an auditor back in 1968 when I perfomed an audit
which would allow them to get financing to get full ownership of their
first heavy lift helicopter, the Sikorsky S-61. It would also help to
achieve a base to finance other heavy lift helicopters, the Vertol 107-II’s
acquired from Pan Am in 1969.
For the past 35 years, I’ve watched Columbia grow from a small
helicopter operation with a flight training school and shared interest in
one large helicopter, a Sikorsky S-61, to the predominant heavy lift
utility operator of helicopters throughout the world. It’s changed from a
struggling, opportunistic company to one that was able to develop very
substantial, consistent work in a number of markets. Logging helped
offset other markets at various times as those markets went through
the various phases of strength and weakness. Wes Lematta and his associates always struck me as people
with great integrity and a “can do” attitude. They thought big, but they were also very practical. Those were my
impressions of them as a young man associated with them from the outside, auditing their books and occa-
sionally providing some financial advice.
I joined the company in 1975, in part to help obtain funding so the company could acquire four Vertol 107-II’s
from the Government of Thailand. It was a fairly complicated transaction and is a tribute to Wes’ ability, vision
and tenacity to negotiate the acquisition of those aircraft and find work for them that led to further expansion of
the Columbia Vertol fleet. It is extremely rewarding to me to look at the size the company has grown to, its
dedication to safety, its consistent operations and financial stability.
As the company has grown and some of the founding managers have retired, the new managers the
company has developed, share the same principles of integrity, safety, hard work and “can do” as their core
values. By adhering to these core values, we see a company now with some 14 Vertols, and potentially more
in the future; 7 234’s, and potentially more in the future. A company that is in fact, the provider of choice for
heavy-lift helicopter operations and maintenance solutions throughout the world. The foundation of this growth
was and remains the mission and values established by Wes and now formalized in our Mission and Vision
Statements.
Reaching our 50th year and being as effective as we are in solving customer problems and turning them
into opportunities for us has made us one of the most successful helicopter companies in the world. That’s a
tribute, again to our values, our integrity, our work, our innovation and our willingness to tackle tough problems
with a “can do” attitude. Those are the traits that will drive us into the future and help us continue to succeed in
the years ahead!
I want to touch briefly on 2006. 2006 was a successful year for us, although it started slow. Due to im-
provements in the oil market as the year progressed, a strong logging customer base, a significant fire season,
a robust program at Helifor Industries in Canada, as well as a growing and profitable customer maintenance
business, we were able to exceed the profits of 2005 by a small margin. We also set a new record for rev-
enues for the year. Not only were operations and customer maintenance setting records, we acquired the
Type Certificate to both the 107-II and the 234 aircraft in December, a tremendous achievement which offers
us many opportunities which I have referred to previously. This achievement was accomplished through the
efforts of a large number of key people in this company.
In 2006 we also were able to participate with Canadian investors in forming Helifor Canada for the acquisi-
tion of Helifor Industries’ assets. In December, this new company, Helifor Canada, acquired all of the logging
assets and all the crew of Helifor Industries, with the exception of those necessary for the Air Operating Permit
(the AOP). We hope the AOP will be transferred once Canadian Transportation Authorities approve the trans-
action which we hope is forthcoming shortly. This affiliation gives us tremendous opportunities to expand our
horizons and our operational flexibilities in Canadian markets. Continued on Page 3
2
Our First 50 Years
Wes Lematta, Founder and Chairman of the Board

It’s been a long time since I took my first helicopter flight

lesson. Since then, the industry and Columbia Helicopters
have grown and changed in ways that no one could have
expected 50 years ago. I always knew that the helicopter
industry was full of potential and growth, but even I never
would have guessed that today we would be the world leader
in heavy-lift helicopter operations.
I could not have built this company without the assistance
of others. First and foremost are the members of my family;
brothers Bill and Jim, and especially my brother Ed and his
wife Vivian. Without their support and work, we never would
have succeeded.
I also owe thanks to my wife Nancy and our wonderful
children, Betsy, Marci and Bart, and I can not forget Jeff and Jill
Lematta. Each of these dedicated people not only worked for
the company, they offered me their support as well.
I also wish to recognize people like Bob Duncan, Wil Josie,
Sterling Hanel, Frank Stenzell, Dave West, and Gordon Ander-
son, just a few among the many who provided financial and
moral support when the company and I needed them.
Over the years, we’ve had many employees who have walked through our doors. Some of the people who
helped me build this company have names that are familiar to most of you: Jack Pyle, Roy Simmons, Mike
Fahey, Pete Barendregt to name just a few. However, every single one of you are the reason that our company
is so successful today. Your willingness to work under difficult conditions and your dedication to only the
highest levels of quality mean that we can work anywhere with exceptional results for our customers.
Now that Columbia Helicopters is turning 50 years old, I can look back and marvel at where we’ve been,
and I can only begin to imagine where we are headed in our next 50 years.
Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of Columbia Helicopters, and for helping to make this
company the best in the industry.

Words from The President

Continued from Page 2

Looking forward to 2007, we are starting off very busy in all areas of our operations. Our logging
program is committed, albeit with fewer aircraft due to demands in other markets. We have a busy over-
seas oil schedule with a 107 operating in the Papua New Guinea oil field again, as of late 2006. We have
developed a robust customer maintenance program, and there are extremely strong demands for the
services of our aircraft leased to our affiliate, Helifor Canada.
We continue to work on improving our shop practices and procedures as well as our operational
techniques to insure we are efficient in our maintenance procedures, while operating in the safest possible
manner, meeting and exceeding our customers’ and our own expectations and working as a team to meet
our many challenges.
I take great pleasure in seeing where we are, the direction we are headed; looking all the way back 50
years from a very humble beginning to a highly motivated, talented team whose core values continue to be
integrity, safety, customer service, performance and team work. We are a company that is making a
powerful, positive difference!
Let’s all keep pulling together and make 2007 a safe, profitable, effective, enjoyable and fulfilling year.

3
 50th Anniversary
Continued from Page 1
boasts the largest private fleet of heavy-lift helicopters in the world,
and the company operates around the world.
Whether by Wes’ extraordinary vision of what helicopters were
capable of doing, or perhaps through a little “luck of the Finns”, Colum-
bia Helicopters can look back at several momentous points in com-
pany history where the company’s path became more clearly defined.
These remarkable achievements are being chronicled in a book, “The
Flying Finns”, that Columbia Helicopters will release on April 24th, the
actual date of the company’s 50th Anniversary. Until then, what follows
are some of the highpoints of the company’s history:
· In 1957, Wes Lematta completes helicopter flight training using the
GI Bill, and with the assistance of his brother Ed and sister-in-law
Vivian, buys the company’s first helicopter, a Hiller 12B.
· With the assistance of his family and operating from his backyard,
Wes sells rides on the weekends while continuing to drive a truck
during the week. The first employee: Wes secures
· He also seeks publicity by carrying reporters and photographers, his Hiller 12B to a trailer in 1957.
Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, and several trapeze acts.
· His greatest publicity came when he heroically rescued 15 sailors from a sinking dredge off Coos Bay on
September 10, 1957. He is awarded the Army Air Medal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
· In one of the first instances of line-pulling, he used his Hiller 12B to deliver a tow line between a beached
barge and an off-shore tugboat. This was also the first of many instances over the decades where one of
Wes’ helicopters would assist in pulling a vessel off a Pacific beach.
· In 1960, Wes buys a much more powerful helicopter, a Hiller 12E, with 345 horsepower. Despite flying his
earlier helicopters from the center seat, Wes had dual controls installed in the 12E. Shortly thereafter, Wes
takes a job installing power poles and towing line to a new dam in the Columbia River Gorge. Realizing that it’s
easier to lean out and watch the load as he does this, Wes develops the Direct Visual Operational Control
system (DVOC), now the industry standard of flying loads with long lines.
· In 1962, Columbia Helicopters moves to Swan Island, near downtown Portland, Oregon.
· During the 1960’s, Wes and his brother Jim develop what may be the first use of a fire-fighting water
bucket slung beneath a helicopter. The bucket is converted from hauling concrete and carries 200-gallons of
water.
· During a tower project in the Colorado Rockies, Jim Lematta is flying the company’s Sikorsky S-61 and
leaning out the side of the aircraft to watch his loads. He gets so cold that he is forced to land. From that
situation, the pilot’s bubble window is born, also now an industry standard.
· In 1969, Wes buys three Boeing Vertol 107-II helicopters from Pan Am, setting the stage for Columbia to
eventually become the world’s only commercial operator of these tandem-rotored helicopters. Forever after,
Wes calls these aircraft the backbone of his fleet.
· In 1971, Wes and Jack Erickson perform the first financially successful test of helicopter logging involving
large timber. Columbia Helicopters provides the helicopter and Erickson Lumber Company provides the timber
– thus allowing both companies the right to proclaim that each was the first successful heli-logger.
· Columbia Helicopters purchases four more Vertol 107s, from New York Airways in January 1972.
· In the early 1970s, Columbia sends several of its Vertols to remote oil fields to support exploration projects.
While these are not the first helicopters to move oil rigs, petroleum companies are soon disassembling their
rigs in larger sections to take advantage of the Vertols heavy-lift capacity.
· In 1976, Columbia Helicopters moves from their Swan Island base to their new, larger facility at the Aurora
State Airport. Since that time, the company’s maintenance facility continues to grow in size and scope, to
better serve the company’s growing fleet of aircraft.
· Also in 1976, Columbia purchases four Kawasaki Vertol 107-IIs from the government of Thailand.
· In 1977, Columbia Helicopters provided fire suppression and search and rescue operations during the Haj,
the annual Moslem pilgrimage to Mecca.
4
50th Anniversary
Continued from Page 4
· Perhaps the most famous
helicopter photo ever taken was
shot when Ted Veal captures a
Columbia Helicopters’ Vertol
towing SoHio’s 220-ton hover
barge across broken ice near
Prudhoe Bay.
· Columbia Helicopters’
introduction to the Boeing 234
Chinook begins in 1983, when it
provides flight crews to ARCO-
Today, Columbia Helicopters and the company’s affiliates employ
owned aircraft working in the
over 1,000 people around the world, including approximately 350 at the
Bering Sea.
company’s headquarters in Aurora, Oregon, shown here in 2006.
· In 1984, Columbia Helicopters
purchases its first two Boeing 234
Chinooks.
· In 1985, three Vertols were flown to the Sudan to provide assistance with famine relief. In just 100 days,
Columbia’s aircraft move over eight-million pounds of food, flying 2,598 hours with 100% aircraft availability and
mission completion.
· During the 80s, 90s and 00s, Columbia continues to build its fleet of Vertols and Chinooks, acquiring the
aircraft from a variety of international sources.
· In 2006, Columbia Helicopters completes the process to acquire the Type Certificates for the Vertol 107-II
and Model 234 Chinook from The Boeing Company.

Today, Columbia Helicopters owns and flies 14 Vertols and seven 234 Chinooks. The company’s helicop-
ters operate globally, and are supported by a world-class maintenance department that boasts a 97% aircraft
availability rate.
The company’s selective harvesting procedure is lauded as one of the most environmentally sensitive
forms of logging, where only a portion of the timber is removed from a forest. The remaining timber thrives on
the additional resources, and the impact is so slight visually that it’s often difficult to see where logging opera-
tions have taken place.
Logging and petroleum exploration support continue to make up the largest portion of the company’s
business. However, fighting forest fires, a variety of construction projects and the occasional movie also take
their place on the company’s long range schedule.
The company’s outstanding maintenance program also continues to
grow. Columbia has been developing it’s maintenance marketing services for
years, and has recently begun to focus more strongly on acquiring contracts
to work on military aircraft and components. Working with the understanding
that many of the world’s militaries fly similar aircraft, the company is hoping
to parlay the knowledge and capabilities that allow it to fly some of their
helicopters over 300 hours in a single month.
Building from a single employee in 1957, Columbia Helicopters now
directly employs over 700 people around the world (over 1,000 counting
affiliated organizations), including some of the most highly-skilled pilots and
See more photos maintenance crews in the world.
from our first 50 years Columbia Helicopters currently operates, either directly or through affili-
ates, their helicopters in the United States, Peru, Ecuador, New Zealand,
in the online version Papua New Guinea and Canada.
of this newsletter at When one looks at the overall picture, it’s hard not to reflect that Columbia
www.colheli.com Helicopters hasn’t done too badly for a company that started 50-years ago
with a single, small helicopter giving rides at county fairs.
5
 Columbia’s Maintenance Shops See Review and Improvement
By Chad Nicklaus, Director of Shop Maintenance

With guidance from our company Mission, Vision and Values statement, Shop Operations is reviewing all
shop areas and implementing change to improve service to our customers (internal and external) and grow our
maintenance services. A primary goal for the department is to improve processes and increase our capacity in
areas that will bring the best value for the organization.
We have instituted the Integrated Production Team (IPT) concept for aircraft projects. Though the IPT
concept is not unique to the industry as a whole, it is something new to CHI and we are seeing very positive
results so far. IPT Members encompassing individuals from various shops and departments are now assigned
to aircraft projects from start to finish. There is a Team Lead and Program Manager that guide the projects
according to the schedule. This has greatly enhanced how we perform work in this area, improving team work
across departments and giving
ownership of the project to the
personnel performing the work.
Maintenance process, work area
organization and cleanliness have
also been greatly improved, which
has helped lead to our ultimate
goal of a safe, high quality project
completed on time and on budget.
Capitalizing on the positive
results of the IPT and after careful
analysis, the Airframe and Struc-
tures shops have been combined
to create Hangar Operations
(Hangar OPS). Coy Boen is
heading up this new organization
N246CH currently undergoing maintenance in the main hangar. and is supported by Garry Golden,
Field Coordinator; Scott Hulet and
Brian Wagner, Structures and
Airframe Foremen respectively; Steve Viles and Larry Dahlke, Shop Leads. A main goal of combining these
shops is to proactively cross train mechanics between Airframe and Structures functions, expanding mechanic
skills and developing a better trained, more capable work force. The position of Field Coordinator was also
created during this process to provide improved service and a focal point for shop support to the field.
Program Management is now in place under Shop Operations and was developed with input from the
Maintenance Directors and Business Development Manager, Jerry Artache. Program Management ensures
important external and internal programs are effectively managed, meeting schedule, cost and performance
requirements. Current Program Managers are Paul Leach, managing the CH-47 drive train maintenance
program as well as other Army CH-47 opportunities; Dave Tibbetts, CHI aircraft projects and IPT’s and Terry
Hargitt, temporarily managing our light ship operations, critical projects and focal point for developing Program
Management process for CHI.
Plans are in place for relocating and growing key shops to increase capacity and improve efficiency, focus-
ing on areas where we are currently having and expect continued growth in maintenance services such as the
Transmission, Engine and Rotor shops. Part of this planning involves improving work flow and the movement
of key support shops or their functions (such as Finishes, NDT and Machine shops) into locations closer to the
component shops they support. We have identified shop functions that will be located off the main site to
create more space allowing full utilization of our existing facilities.
While these are just a few of the improvements that have been made or that are in work in Shop Opera-
tions there are many others taking place daily in all areas. Managers, Shop Chiefs and their personnel are
committed to continual improvement, evaluating how to provide more value to our customers in an effort to be
the provider of choice for maintenance solutions world wide.
6
Work is Just Beginning With Acquisition of TC & PC
Paul Trese, Director of Engineering

On December 15th 2006 Columbia Helicopters took a significant step forward as a company. On that date The
Boeing Company transferred the FAA type certificates to Columbia Helicopters for the aircraft that we operate.
Conveyance of these FAA Type Certificates for the 107-II aircraft and the Model 234 helicopter, represents a
significant event in CHI’s intentions to support, modify and improve these aircraft. Along with those privileges
come the overall airworthiness responsibilities that a Type Certificate holder assumes.
History:
The first documented discussion between CHI and Boeing regarding transferring the Type Certificates for the
107 & 234 was in 1983. Since that time, CHI and Boeing have discussed the topic on an annual basis. As the
supply base for replacement parts for these aircraft continued to diminish it became increasingly evident to both
CHI and Boeing that the best move for both companies was to transfer the TC’s. The sales volume of replace-
ment parts to CHI, although nothing to “sneeze at” is nowhere near the volume purchased by the US military,
especially considering the current op-tempos of the military CH-46s and CH-47s. Over time the US Military
changed the design of some of the aircraft components. In some cases CHI adopted these changes, in other
cases CHI did not. These decisions were first and foremost influenced by safety concerns. Where there was no
impact on safety or reliability, CHI evaluated the changes on a financial basis. This divergence between the
military (CH-46 & CH-47) configurations and the commercial (107 & 234) configuration resulted in CHI being the
only customer for these “orphaned” parts. As the engineers at Boeing have had to increasingly focus on the
emergent wartime requirements of their military customers, both CHI and Boeing recognized that it was the right
time to make this change.
Moving toward TC transfer:
In March of 2004 CHI and Boeing entered into a Manufacturing License Agreement (MLA) permitting CHI
direct access to Boeing suppliers. Boeing supported this Manufacturing Agreement by outlining the requirements
and steps necessary to re-establish source of supply for five parts. Through this program, CHI engineering
worked with Boeing to establish CHI’s in-house capability to review and approve manufacturing plans for these
parts. During this same timeframe, ongoing discussions regarding the transfer of the 107 & 234 Type Certificates
were occurring between CHI and Boeing management. Between the spring of 2004 and fall of 2005, CHI and
Boeing negotiated a set of conditions that formed the foundation of the type certificate transfer, and would be
acceptable to the FAA engineering offices in New York and Seattle as well. The FAA’s position was quite simple;
“make sure the data is in good order before the transfer occurs”.
On September 30th 2005 Mike Fahey (CHI -President) and Mr. John Stoll (Boeing - Senior Contracts Manager)
signed two contracts outlining the requirements to transfer the Type Certificates. These two agreements are the
“Type Certificate Sales Agreement” (TCSA) and the Data License Agreement (DLA).
During the next 15 months CHI supported Boeing’s efforts to publish four documents which summarize the
approved data of each aircraft. At the conclusion of this effort, one Master Drawing List (MDL) and Life Limitation
Document was presented to the FAA for each of the aircraft. During this time, Gary Grage of the CHI Engineering
department spent between 50% to 75% of his time at the Boeing–Philadelphia facility. While there, Gary as-
sembled history files for CHI relative to Certification, Continued Airworthiness, and manufacturing issues.
On October 31st 2007 Boeing and CHI personnel commemorated the imminent transfer of the Type Certifi-
cates during a ceremony held at CHI’s Aurora facility. Boeing representatives included Mike Tkach, Vice President
and General Manger of Boeing Rotorcraft, John Gilbride, Director of Product Support, and Clint Palmer, Senior
Manager, Fleet Support.
Next Steps:
While the TC transfer is a tremendous accomplishment for CHI, this step is truly just the beginning. CHI
intends to make improvements to the design of the aircraft to take advantage of new materials and manufacturing
techniques which were not available at the time the 107 or the 234 were designed. In order to make these
changes CHI has developed, by working with the FAA’s Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (SACO), a procedure to
classify changes to 107 & 234 type design. Development of a well defined process to classify a change as being
either a Major or a Minor change to type design will allow CHI to initiate changes and present the changes to the
FAA in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Being able to produce parts in order to support the CHI fleet was a prime motivation in obtaining the Type
Certificates. But the Type Certificates do not provide the rights to manufacture parts. That authority is granted via
an FAA Production Certificate (PC). Over the past several months a team comprised of members from Quality,
Continued on Page 9
7
HAI Award Winners
Continued From Page 1

“Our founder, Wes Lematta, and I have always stated that it is our
employees who make Columbia Helicopters as strong as it is,” added
Fahey. “We both think it is wonderful that such a distinguished interna-
tional organization is once again acknowledging what an outstanding
group of people which make up our company family.”
RICHARD WOLFGANG
Richard Wolfgang was recognized as “Aviation Repair Specialist of
the Year” by HAI for over two decades of work in Columbia’s Electric and
Avionics Shop. “Wolfgang has kept complex avionics and electrical
systems running in the most rigorous and remote operations,” reads the
HAI citation. “He began his career as a maintenance technician for the
United States Marine Corps, where he worked primarily on the CH-46
Sea Knight, Wolfgang joined Columbia Helicopters in 1981...” where
he is better known among his colleagues as “Cheech.”
The citation continues Richard “Cheech” Wolfgang
“Wolfgang began his career with
Columbia as an electrician in the Avionics Electric Shop, repairing electri-
cal accessories and assisting in refurbishing Columbia’s fleet of aircraft.
He earned his repairman, airframe and power plant certificates, and also
became an authorized inspector within Columbia’s repair station. In
1988, Wolfgang became the Lead Mechanic and in 1995 Assistant Shop
Chief. He was appointed Avionics Electric Shop Supervisor in 2002,
assuming responsibility for avionics installations and avionics electrical
accessory repair. He is also responsible for associated fleet support for
Columbia’s large number of helicopters.
The citation further recognizes Cheech’s work in the company’s
maintenance facility in Aurora, in Sudan in the 80’s, and in other locations
around the world. The citation finishes by acknowledging his skill and
knowledge have “helped Wolfgang and Columbia to achieve the highest
level of excellence. Those qualities continue to advance the international
helicopter industry.”
DALE WEIR
In recognizing Dale Weir as “Pilot of the Year”, HAI cited that “to
date, Weir has flown over 23,000 hours in helicopters and participated in
some industry firsts, including timber harvesting, roof top construction,
Dale Weir
power line replacement by helicopter, the famous hover barge tow in
Alaska, and a demonstration of the Suspended Maneuvering System
designed by McDonnell Douglas for the rescue of persons from high rise buildings.”
The HAI award continues: “Weir began his career scrubbing planes at a local airport. He was drafted by
the Army and chose helicopters over infantry. Weir placed in the top percentile of his flight school class and
was offered the opportunity to fly CH-47 Chinooks. A transmission failure left him with severe injuries. How-
ever, Weir chose not to end his flying career, and went on to join Columbia Helicopters Inc. (CHI). For 33 years
and counting, Weir continues to fly for CHI and provides the professionalism, skill, and innovation that make
him the go-to pilot for tough jobs.
The citation concludes by recognizing Dale’s “…experience, leadership, and professionalism are just some
of the qualities the rotorcraft industry has benefited from.
RON GILROY
HAI recognized Ron as Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year due to his work at one of Columbia
Helicopters’ overseas operation. “As a Maintenance Supervisor for Columbia Helicopters, Gilroy has spent
most of the past two decades maintaining large helicopters in the Highlands of Continued on Page 9
8
HAI Award Winners
Continued From Page 8
Papua New Guinea,” reads the award. “This location operates half a
world away from the main base, requiring Columbia to send their best
personnel. Gilroy is recognized for his exceptional organizational skills,
which is crucial, considering it can take two weeks for a spare part to be
shipped from the U.S.”
Ron began his career at Columbia as one of twelve mechanics
working to maintain as many as four Vertols in PNG, which often com-
bined to fly 1,000 hours each month. In 1993, he was assigned to take
on the BV-234 Chinook, which included more complex electrical sys-
tems, four hydraulic systems, and two independent, coupled autopilot
systems. Tropical environments create many difficulties to the structure
of a helicopter; however, Gilroy keeps the aircraft under his care in
excellent condition, with an availability rate as high as 97 percent.
The award concludes acknowledging the scope of the work Ron
does for Columbia. “Gilroy is now Chief Engineer for Columbia Helicop-
ters PNG, and has trained a number of mechanics who have worked
there. His supervisory responsibilities routinely keep him working four-
teen-hour-plus workdays. Gilroy holds many jobs, from engine man, to Ron Gilroy
structures mechanic, to vibration analyst, to manager, and he manages
them all with his high energy intact. His proficiency, reliability, and strong work ethic continue to astound the
rotorcraft industry.”
This is not the first time that Columbia Helicopters employees have received such recognition from the HAI,
but it is the first time that multiple winners have been selected in the same year. The HAI has previously hon-
ored Wes Lematta, Jack Pyle, Jim Lematta, Lyle Talle, Erik Steckmest, Gary Grage and Bob Neihart.

TC/PC Acquisition
Continued From Page 7

Engineering, Materials, Legal and other groups have been developing procedures necessary to make applica-
tion for a PC. After submitting the Production Certificate Manual to the FAA, we can expect an audit by FAA
Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO), and Aircraft Certification Office personnel.
“What does this mean to me?”
Many CHI employees are wondering “What this will mean to me in my role at CHI, and what changes should
I expect”.
One of the most immediate impacts that will be seen by all of our maintenance crews will be the issuance of
the aircraft Maintenance Manuals under CHI’s name. All subsequent Maintenance Manual updates will be
issued by the CHI Technical Publications group, which is headed by Jack Butler. In addition to Maintenance
Manuals, Service Bulletins and Service Letters will now be issued by CHI Tech Pubs. Again, with the privileges
of a Type Certificate holder come some responsibilities, and Continued Airworthiness responsibility is number
one on the list.
Another change that many have already started to notice is the use of the term “Mac-10”. (The process;
not the weapon). The Mac-10 process is the name assigned to the system CHI will use to capture all of the
data supporting changes to type design. This process will capture the requested change, the regulatory
implication, the financial impacts as well as the impact on the engineering and maintenance data/manuals. The
change will then be classified in accordance with our agreed procedure with the FAA.
Finally, once CHI has received a Production Certificate, those in the field will be seeing some parts marked
with the CHI CAGE code “7W206”. This marking will signify those parts that have been produced under the CHI
Production Certificate.
With CHI’s celebration of our 50th anniversary as a company, we are truly embarking on a completely new
adventure in the companies’ history.

9
Quality Corner
By Buddy Smith

Production Certificate Responsibilities

For several years now Columbia Helicopters has
been getting painted into a corner by many forces – not
all of them in our control. We have owned and operated
essentially all of the civil versions of the Boeing Helicop-
ters Models 107 and 234 on the planet. That fact alone
has put us, simultaneously, in a position of strength and
vulnerability with Boeing’s Helicopter Division.
Strength
Being the only operator of a specific aircraft fleet – or
any product for that matter – will make the equipment
manufacturer very aware of your needs and they will
work hard to satisfy those needs.
Vulnerability
When the manufacturer’s overall source of income
shifts from product originally manufactured in the 60’s
and early 70’s to more recent product with modern
manufacturing techniques and/or a higher profit margin,
they begin to pay less attention to the less significant sources of income. While Boeing has always assisted
Columbia when necessary, we need to become more self-reliant to be able to move into the next 50 years.
Because of these factors, among others, CHI has recently concluded the process of acquiring the Type
Certificates for the 107 and 234. The responsibility transferred to CHI as a result of acquiring the Type Certifi-
cates is in the process of transforming the company - again. Some of those transformations require an in-
crease in the staffing levels and expertise in Engineering, Quality, Production and Support personnel. While I
won’t attempt to speak in any detail for other departments involved in this effort I will present a few sweeping
generalities.
Engineering Department
The staff of Engineering must be capable of reviewing requests for change to the design of the aircraft,
determine which changes are practical, coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration and control the
process of creating, revising and distributing the data to our Technical Library. Ensuring the accuracy and
adequacy of engineering information utilized in the manufacturing process is vital to our success.
Materials Department
The Materials staff must be able to readily access the most current data from our Technical Library for the
manufacture of parts needed by CHI to support our fleet. Coordination between Materials and our approved
vendors will be one of the most important factors in making the Production Certificate process successful. Not
only does Materials need the most current data when placing an order with a vendor they must remain aware
of any changes to that data that might impact product on our shelves or in the process of being manufactured.
Quality Department
Quality Control: In the past the responsibility for inspection of most parts manufactured for our aircraft
belonged to Boeing Helicopters. Once CHI achieves certification to the Production Certificate that responsibility
will reside with CHI. This means that Mechanical Inspection and Testing (MIT) will need strengthening in the
near future. This transition will require coordination with Materials as their personnel have been performing the
inspection of manufactured product. In order to formalize the process more and free up Materials personnel for
coordinating the manufacture of parts it seems logical that product inspection should move to MIT. Quality
Control Inspectors may need some additional training and skills to perform inspection of flight critical parts.
Quality Assurance: Staff must be sufficient and adequately qualified to perform review and oversight/audit
functions of the new processes, manufacturing plans, vendors and non-conforming product issues that arise
during the manufacturing process. Non-Conforming product issues are coordinated between Engineering,
Continued on Page 11
10
Columbia’s Fleet Remain Busy Around The World in 2006
Sometimes average is okay. Especially if
having an average year means that Columbia
Helicopters is still very, very busy.
Combined, Columbia’s fleet of Vertols and
Chinooks didn’t set any new flight hour
records in 2006, but there were two new
second place totals.
There were, however, a few pretty signifi-
cant totals among individual aircraft worth
noting. Perhaps the most significant was the
achievement by Helifor’s C-GHFF (ex-
N195CH) last August, when the aircraft and
crew recorded 336.1 flight hours for the
month, or nearly 11 flight hours a day. They
fell just barely short of the company’s single
month record of 338 hours, established by P2-CHI and P2-CHE fly over a Papua New Guinea jungle.
N186CH in August 1986. Several other
Vertols also recorded months in 2006 with more than 300 hours.
August was also the single busiest month for the company’s Vertol fleet, with twelve aircraft combining to
record over 2,500 hours.
While C-GHFF had a busy month of August, that aircraft and crew actually finished the year in third place
for flight hour totals, with C-FHFV (ex-N6674D) finishing first, followed by N6682D. These three aircraft com-
bined to finish the year with just over 7,700 flight hours.
The company’s Chinook fleet stayed busy throughout the calendar, as they reached their second highest
flight hour total ever. Petroleum exploration support provided a big boost to the Chinook fleet, specifically when
November rig moves helped to account for their busiest single month. C-FHFB (ex-N238CH) took top honors
as the busiest aircraft during the year, followed by P2-CHI (ex-N237CH) and N239CH. These three aircraft
combined to reach nearly 4,000 flight hours in 2006.

Production Certificate Responsibilites

Continued From Page 10

Materials and Quality. QA has added Chris DeVincenzi in Dec 05. Chris has been receiving On-The-Job
training in audit techniques and managing the Corrective Action program. Chris will be attending a one-
week class on Lead Auditing for AS9100 at the end of February 2007. Michael Millage and I have taken this
class and know from experience it is like drinking from a fire hose. I wish him luck. Recently Rick York from
Quality Control and Daniel Kenney from the Fuel Control Shop have joined Quality Assurance to assist in
this effort. Over the coming months Rick and Daniel will be receiving training in Quality Assurance and
Quality Audit techniques. In addition we have recently hired Vicki Watson to perform duties in Document
Control. Vicki comes to us from the high-tech manufacturing industry and has significant experience in
ISO9000 business management systems and internal auditing.
Jim Andrus in Engineering has been supporting Quality Assurance in the effort to perform surveillance
audits and qualify the “Flight Critical” product manufacturers that were previously under the direct control of
Boeing. The on-site audit process requires a level of travel that I haven’t experienced since I was a field
mechanic from 1976 to 1984. I want to thank both Chris DeVincenzi and Jim Andrus for their participation in
these audits and the valuable contribution they have both made to the effort.
Technical Library: Stan Clarke, our Technical Librarian, has done an excellent job in cataloging and
controlling the drawings and data CHI has created and that Boeing has transferred to CHI over the past few
years. The technical library now also contains information on industry and government standards that are
critical to CHI’s ability to move forward and take on new responsibilities.
11
Winter Storms Bring Beached
Boats to the Pacific Coast
It’s an unusual winter that Columbia Helicopters
doesn’t assist with recovering at least one vessel
from the coastlines of the states of Oregon, Wash-
ington, Alaska or California.
This year is no different, but what is a little
unusual is how one of Columbia Helicopters’ Vertols
helped out.
A 25-foot coastal patrol boat, built by Safe Boats
International of Port Orchard, Washington, had been
loaded aboard a larger vessel for delivery to its new
owner, the government of Chile. At some point, the
smaller boat broke loose from the delivery ship and
eventually washed up on a remote section of
Washington’s coastline. It beached itself, upside
down, with sand and rock filling part of the cabin.
On Sunday, January 21, 2007, N6672D flew to
the location, just south of the community of Queets,
and typically accessible only by driving over rough
logging roads on the Quinalt Indian Reservation.
Project Manager Jerry Martin worked with employ-
ees of the boat’s builders to first remove as much of
the sand and rock as possible, before securing
rigging to the craft’s lifting points.
Command Pilots Chris Gage and Dave Haynes
brought ’72 in over the boat, and after being hooked Above: N6672D lifts the coastal patrol boat off a
up, gently pulled the vessel upright. After ensuring Washington coast beach. Below: The helicopter
everything was properly secured, the Vertol lifted the places the boat on a trailer in a nearby staging area.
boat and flew it to a staging area where the crew
also used the helicopter to load the boat onto its
Intercompany News is published by Columbia
trailer. Helicopters, Inc. It is written for employees of the
Crew Chief Corey Brekke and Mechanic Rodney Rice flew with the company and serves as a direct line of communi-
cation among all headquarters and field person-
aircraft to provide maintenance support, and also assisted with loading nel. Articles and article ideas are invited. The
the boat onto the trailer. company grants permission to any other publica-
tion to reprint articles provided credit is given to
Columbia Helicopters. The company reserves the
right to publish any material received unless
marked not for publication. Send correspondence
to Intercompany News, Columbia Helicopters,
Inc., P.O. Box 3500, Portland, OR 97208.

Todd Petersen Vice President, Marketing

Dan Sweet Editor, Media Services Manager
Marci Abel Editorial Assistant

Aurora Airport, Aurora, Oregon

Tel: (503) 678-1222
Fax: (503) 678-5841
E-mail: info@colheli.com
Internet: www.colheli.com
P.O. Box 3500, Portland, OR 97208
An Equal Opportunity Employer