Piasecki Aircraft and Columbia Helicopters Partner to Upgrade Heavy-Lift Tandem Rotorcraft

From left: David Balevic, Columbia Helicopters; Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey; John Piasecki, Piasecki Aircraft ● Photo Credit: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation

COATESVILLE, Pa., July 3, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) and Columbia Helicopters (CHI) have announced a strategic partnership to upgrade heavy-lift helicopters worldwide.

The collaboration will upgrade existing Model 107-II helicopters to the new Columbia Model CHI-107-III configuration, enhancing fuel efficiency, power, and robustness. These helicopters will support services such as emergency response, aerial firefighting, forestry, infrastructure, and defense. The military variant of the Model 107-II, known as the CH-46E Sea Knight, has been used by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, as well as in Sweden and Japan.

Modifications and testing will take place at Piasecki’s 219,000-square-foot heliplex facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. This facility was acquired from Lockheed Martin Sikorsky in 2023. The acquisition was supported by Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Governor Josh Shapiro, and the Chester County Economic Development Council to create jobs and leverage aerospace skills in the region.

“For generations, Pennsylvanians have served their country and supported their families by manufacturing military helicopters at this Coatesville facility. I fought to support Piasecki’s helicopter remanufacturing because nobody is more up to the task of maintaining our Nation’s military aircrafts than the workers here in Southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Casey.

"Piasecki, with its state-of-the-art manufacturing and robust tech workforce, is a driving force of revitalization in Coatesville," said Houlahan. "Now, with the announcement of the production of CH-46 helicopters and additional jobs being created, our region will continue to lead the way in domestic aviation manufacturing."

The heliplex will also serve as CHI's new field site, expanding opportunities on the East Coast. The partnership includes developing comprehensive product support plans for the Columbia Model CHI-107-III and establishing an FAA Part 145 Repair Station at the facility.

"We are thrilled to partner with Columbia Helicopters, a company that shares our heritage with the tandem helicopter, and our commitment to innovation and excellence in the rotorcraft industry," said John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the evolution of tandem rotor helicopters and promises to deliver enhanced capabilities to a wide range of military and civil applications."

"The new Columbia Model 107-III will transform the heavy-lift helicopter market, providing unrivaled performance and versatility for our customers," said David Balevic, CEO of Columbia Helicopters. “We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and together with our partners at Piasecki, will deliver enhanced heavy-lift aircraft that save lives, protect nations, and build industries for decades to come.”

For more information, visit Piasecki and Columbia Helicopters.

Source: Piasecki Aircraft via Newswire