Columbia Helicopters (Heli Expo Booth #3708) and GPMS International (Booth #3016) have completed design, manufacturing, and installation in support of obtaining an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Foresight MX on the CH-47D platform. Foresight MX stands as the sole predictive Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) available to CH-47D operators, offering an integrated suite encompassing Mechanical Diagnostics, Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), Engine Monitoring, and Rotor Track and Balance capabilities.

Rob Roedts, Vice President of Aircraft Solutions at Columbia Helicopters, expressed enthusiasm for the strides made by the joint engineering team: “We’re thrilled with the progress achieved by our collaborative efforts. Foresight MX’s scalability is truly remarkable, promising CH-47D operators unprecedented capabilities. The system will be substantially lighter and more cost-effective compared to original factory-installed systems, if ever present on the aircraft.”

As a premier utility operator and renowned authority in maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, Columbia Helicopters recognizes the distinct demands of heavy-lift missions. Leveraging its status as the OEM for the Model 234 and 107-II helicopters and holding the FAA Type Certificate for the CH-47D Chinook, Columbia delivers tailored STC solutions to optimize capabilities and operational availability, with the introduction of Foresight MX HUMS representing the latest evolution.

According to Ronnie Ries, Vice President of Marketing at GPMS, CH-47D operators are anxiously awaiting the STC. “With the divesture of these aircraft from militaries around the world, commercial operators are acquiring them for a fraction of the original price. But replacement parts are expensive, and inventory of key components can be very scarce. That’s where Foresight MX comes in. With its predictive capabilities, CH- 47 operators can turn unscheduled events into scheduled maintenance. Additionally, the integrated Rotor Track and Balance capability will significantly reduce the headaches operators experience.”

“We’re not done after we receive the STC on the CH-47D,” Roedts continues. “We plan to continue to work with GPMS to extend the STC to the Columbia Model 234 and other models. They’ve been a great partner and we can’t wait to bring predictive HUMS to heavy-lift operators around the world.”

ABOUT COLUMBIA HELICOPTERS
Columbia Helicopters, Inc. (CHI) is a global leader in heavy-lift helicopter operations, providing innovative helicopter solutions for a wide range of industries including construction, firefighting, aerial logging, and more. With over 60 years of experience, CHI is renowned for its commitment to safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction.