CHI Aviation on the ramp at Chico, CA (KCIC) 7/28/24.
This image shows what is involved in supporting a single firefighting helicopter!
You have the helicopter itself, a company owned fuel truck, a maintenance trailer with spares and maintenance items and a crew trailer for crew rest.
Several tow vehicles and a passenger vehicle. The Chico Airport is kind of in the middle of nowhere so you need that passenger car!!!
CH-47D CHINOOK
The Tandem Rotor, LLC CH-47D Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. With its triple-hook cargo system, the CH-47D can carry heavy payloads of up to 26,000 pounds externally. Each Helimax Chinook is equipped with a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) STC, HUMS aircraft monitoring, ATU Data vault for customer tracking, and upgraded avionics to reduce pilot workload.
The CH-47D is easier to maintain, has a stronger drive-train, and upgraded engines for lower fuel consumption. It is also 63% faster than the closest aircraft type in its class. The CH-47D can be configured for water bucket, internal fire tank, or external load operations.
Range: 400 nm (741 km)
Cruise speed: 130 kn (149 mph)
Crew: 2 (pilot, copilot)
Capacity: 0 passengers*
Max. gross weight: 50,000 lb (22,680 kg)
Internal Weight capacity: N/A*
External Weight capacity: 26,000 lb (11,793 kg)
