CHI Aviation
CHI Aviation (Construction Helicopters, Inc.) is a veteran-owned small business operating heavy-lift helicopters (Sikorsky S-61N, CH-47D Chinook, CASA 212) for construction, military airlift, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian missions globally. It serves the U.S. Department of Defense, federal and state agencies, Fortune 500 industrials and energy companies, and humanitarian organizations including the UN and WFP.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersHowell, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CHI Aviation does
CHI Aviation (legal entity Construction Helicopters, Inc.) is a Howell, Michigan-based veteran-owned small business that has operated heavy-lift fixed and rotary-wing aircraft for aviation services since 1980. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heligroup Holdings, Inc., which also controls Helimax Aviation (acquired 2008, heavy-lift Type I firefighting), Resolute ISR (founded 2020, UAV for defense), XRDi (acquired 2021, UAV engine prototype integration), and CHI Transportation (ground logistics). CHI Aviation itself delivers four core service lines under FAA Parts 133, 135, and 137 certifications: heavy-lift construction (HVAC, cooling towers, transmission poles, steel/concrete placement, disaster response) using Sikorsky S-61N and CH-47D Chinook helicopters; military airlift support (SAR/PR/MEDEVAC/CASEVAC, Military Freefall, external cargo placement) for the U.S. Department of Defense; Type I aerial firefighting for the U.S. Forest Service and federal/state agencies; and humanitarian airlift for the United Nations, World Food Program, and NGOs. The company holds DoD CARB approval since 2011, IS-BAO certification, ISNetworld A/GREEN rating, and VOSB status, and maintains an operational readiness rate exceeding 97% with consistent 'Excellent' CPARS ratings.
The company's revenue mechanics are anchored on mission-based custom pricing delivered through multi-year contracts, with government procurement flowing through GSA ASTRO (contracts 47QFCA22D0058 and 47QFCA22D0114) and OASIS+ (47QRCA-25-D-S761) vehicles. Its go-to-market is enterprise and government field sales supplemented by inside sales via phone (800-521-5130) and online quote requests. Proprietary technology assets include the PRISM web-based Safety Management System (IS-BAO compliant, deployed globally) and the patented Helimax AST (Airborne Suppression Technologies) Tank — a carbon fiber aerial firefighting tank with a patented spade gate system enabling laminar flow and precision drops. Operations span North America, the Caribbean, South and Central America, the Middle East (Afghanistan, Yemen), Africa (East and West), Southeast Asia (Brunei), and Oceania (Australia), with named customers across DoD combatant commands (USCENTCOM, USAFRICOM, USSOCOM), federal civilian agencies (USFS, Cal FIRE, DHS, USPS), major industrials (Ford, GM, GE Aviation, Huntington Ingalls), major energy and utility operators (Shell, BP, Chevron, PG&E, Southern Edison, DTE, First Solar), and humanitarian organizations (UN, WFP).
CHI Aviation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CHI Aviation
- Legal name
- Construction Helicopters, Inc.
- Website
- https://chiaviation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CHI Aviation (Construction Helicopters, Inc.) is a veteran-owned small business operating heavy-lift helicopters (Sikorsky S-61N, CH-47D Chinook, CASA 212) for construction, military airlift, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian missions globally. It serves the U.S. Department of Defense, federal and state agencies, Fortune 500 industrials and energy companies, and humanitarian organizations including the UN and WFP.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where CHI Aviation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Howell
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
CHI Aviation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aviation Charter Services: Commercial helicopter and aircraft charter services for businesses throughout the United States and internationally. Fixed and rotary-wing transport under FAA Parts 133, 135, and 137.
- Heavy Lift Construction Services: Aerial crane and heavy lift services for construction projects including HVAC, cooling towers, infrastructure, transmission poles, concrete, steel, signs, and disaster response.
- Military Airlift Support: DoD CARB-approved fixed and rotary-wing passenger and cargo transport. Includes SAR/PR/MEDEVAC/CASEVAC operations, external cargo placement, and Military Freefall support.
- Aerial Firefighting Services: Heavy-lift Type I aerial fire suppression supporting US Forest Service, federal and state agencies, and international operations. Includes firefighter transport, water bucket operations, and logistical support.
- Humanitarian Airlift Services: Airlift support for humanitarian organizations including United Nations, World Food Program (WFP), and NGOs operating in remote and austere environments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom mission-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
CHI Aviation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CHI Aviation operates a fleet of 20+ fixed and rotary-wing aircraft (Sikorsky S-61N, CH-47D Chinook, CASA 212) to deliver heavy-lift aerial construction, military airlift, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian aviation services worldwide. Operations are conducted under FAA Parts 133, 135, and 137 certifications and through GSA contract vehicles (ASTRO and OASIS+).
Product overview
CHI Aviation (Construction Helicopters, Inc.) is a veteran-owned small business providing aviation services since 1980. The company operates a fleet of heavy-lift aircraft (Sikorsky S-61N, CH-47D Chinook, CASA 212) for construction/heavy lift services, military airlift support, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian missions. Core services are delivered directly under FAA Parts 133, 135, and 137 certificates. The company also operates through affiliated brands including Helimax Aviation (firefighting helicopters), Resolute ISR (UAV for defense), and XRDi (UAV engine integration), all under parent company The Heligroup Holdings, Inc. The Helimax AST Tank represents an advanced technology product for aerial firefighting. Services are available through GSA contract vehicles (ASTRO and OASIS+) for government clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Helimax Airborne Suppression Technologies (AST) Tank: Next-generation aerial firefighting technology with patented spade gate system for precise water/retardant drops using carbon fiber construction.
Products and services
- Heavy Lift Helicopter Services Aerial crane and external load helicopter services using Sikorsky S-61N and CH-47D aircraft for construction projects, including HVAC installation, pole and tower placement, steel and concrete placement, and infrastructure deployment. Serves commercial construction firms, utilities, automotive manufacturers, and disaster response.
- Military Airlift Support Rotary-wing and fixed-wing expeditionary military airlift services for the U.S. Department of Defense, including SAR/PR/MEDEVAC/CASEVAC operations, external long line precision cargo placement, overwater operations, and Military Freefall support. DoD CARB-approved.
- Aerial Firefighting Heavy lift (Type I) aerial fire suppression using CH-47D helicopters, supporting the US Forest Service, federal and state agencies with firefighter transport, water bucket operations, and logistical support. Leverages the patented Helimax AST Tank.
- Humanitarian Services Airlift support for global humanitarian organizations including the United Nations, World Food Program (WFP), and NGOs operating in remote and austere environments for disaster relief, medical supply delivery, and personnel transport.
- GSA Contract Vehicles (ASTRO and OASIS+) Government procurement contract vehicles (GSA ASTRO and OASIS+) enabling federal clients to access CHI Aviation's aviation services through streamlined Assisted Acquisition Services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Operational Readiness Rate exceeding 97%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CHI Aviation
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
CHI Aviation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
CHI Aviation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Heligroup Holdings, Inc.coreCHI Aviation is a 100% owned subsidiary of Heligroup Holdings, Inc., which has four operating and asset-holding companies. CHI Aviation serves as the aircraft provider for defense and construction industries within the Heligroup organization.
- Resolute ISR, Inc.core100% owned subsidiary of Heligroup Holdings specializing in Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV) for the defense industry. Part of the integrated Heligroup portfolio of aviation companies.
- XRDi, Inc.core100% owned subsidiary of Heligroup Holdings specializing in UAV engine prototype integration. Acquired XRD engine technology designed for UAV business in 2021.
- Helimax Aviation, Inc.core100% owned subsidiary of Heligroup Holdings providing helicopters for the fire fighting industry. CHI Aviation and Helimax together are global leaders in heavy lift aerial fire suppression.
- CHI Transportation, LLCminorSubsidiary of Heligroup Holdings providing ground logistics and transportation services, complementing air operations.
- Helimax Aviation, Inc. (Affiliate)coreCHI Aviation and Helimax Aviation are global leaders in heavy lift aerial fire suppression. Helimax focuses exclusively on Heavy-Lift (Type I) support using CH-47D aircraft. Helimax has supported USFS since 1997.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CHI Aviation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bristow Group: Bristow Group is a leading global helicopter services provider serving offshore oil and gas, government, and search and rescue markets. Highly comparable to CHI Aviation in providing helicopter transport services to government and energy customers across multiple geographies with similar fleet and operational model.
- PHI Aviation: PHI Aviation (PHI Group) operates one of the world's largest civilian helicopter fleets serving offshore oil and gas, air medical, and government customers. Directly comparable to CHI Aviation in providing multi-mission helicopter services with similar customer verticals and FAA Part 135 certification model.
- Erickson Incorporated: Erickson operates a specialized fleet including the S-64 Skycrane heavy-lift helicopter for firefighting, construction, and government/military customers. Highly comparable to CHI Aviation's heavy-lift and aerial firefighting focus with similar fleet specialization and mission profile.
- Coulson Aviation: Coulson Aviation is a global aerial firefighting operator with Boeing 737 airtankers and heavy-lift helicopters serving US, Canadian, and Australian wildfire agencies. Directly comparable to CHI Aviation in Type I heavy-lift firefighting services and government agency contracts.
- Helimax Aviation: Helimax Aviation is a sister company under Heligroup Holdings providing CH-47D helicopters exclusively for heavy-lift firefighting services, with US Forest Service support since 1997. Direct peer within the same corporate family, operating the same heavy-lift Type I firefighting missions as CHI's aerial firefighting line.
- Air Methods Corporation: Air Methods is the largest air medical transport provider in the US, operating helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Comparable to CHI Aviation in FAA-certified helicopter operations with similar Part 135 air ambulance OpSpecs and MEDEVAC capabilities, though more concentrated on the medical vertical.
Broad incumbents
- Babcock Mission Critical Services: Babcock provides a broad portfolio of mission-critical aviation services including emergency medical, search and rescue, and defense support across multiple geographies. Comparable to CHI Aviation in helicopter services for government and defense customers, though with a broader operational scope across multiple service lines.
- Avincis: Avincis (formerly Avincis Group/Inaer) is a European-based helicopter services provider for emergency medical, search and rescue, offshore, and government customers. Comparable to CHI Aviation in mission-critical helicopter operations across multiple verticals and geographies, though concentrated in European markets.
Regional players
- Yellowhead Helicopters: Yellowhead Helicopters is a Canadian heavy-lift and utility helicopter operator serving forestry, mining, and infrastructure customers. Comparable to CHI Aviation's heavy-lift construction and forestry services, but primarily Canadian-focused with regional rather than global operations.
Emerging players
- Helitak Firefighting: Helitak provides aerial firefighting services and equipment including the Helitak aerial firefighting tank system. Comparable to CHI/Helimax's AST Tank in developing specialized aerial firefighting technology for global markets, though with a smaller operational footprint than CHI's established firefighting business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CHI Aviation social profiles
Digital presenceCHI Aviation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CHI Aviation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CHI Aviation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
CHI Aviation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CHI Aviation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CHI Aviation
What does CHI Aviation do?
CHI Aviation operates a fleet of 20+ fixed and rotary-wing aircraft (Sikorsky S-61N, CH-47D Chinook, CASA 212) to deliver heavy-lift aerial construction, military airlift, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian aviation services worldwide. Operations are conducted under FAA Parts 133, 135, and 137 certifications and through GSA contract vehicles (ASTRO and OASIS+).
Is CHI Aviation a public or private company?
CHI Aviation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CHI Aviation founded?
CHI Aviation was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CHI Aviation based?
CHI Aviation is headquartered in Howell, United States, in the North America region.
How does CHI Aviation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Aviation Charter Services are the primary driver. The others are heavy Lift Construction Services, military Airlift Support, aerial Firefighting Services and humanitarian Airlift Services.
Who are CHI Aviation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bristow Group, PHI Aviation, Erickson Incorporated, Coulson Aviation, Helimax Aviation and Air Methods Corporation. Broad incumbents are Babcock Mission Critical Services and Avincis. Yellowhead Helicopters is listed as a regional player. Helitak Firefighting is listed as an emerging player.
Does CHI Aviation have an API?
No public API is recorded for CHI Aviation.