Atlanta, Georgia: March 9, 2023 – Columbia Helicopters (HELI-EXPO Booth #B6427) and GPMS International (Booth #B3214) today entered into a memorandum of understanding to develop a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Columbia Model 234 Multi-Mission Chinook and the CH-47 helicopter to operate the GPMS Foresight MX predictive Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS), including the shipset and related services.
GPMS’s Foresight MX allows helicopter operators to remotely monitor fleet health on one user-friendly dashboard. Foresight’s smart sensors uncover when critical components are starting to wear, and prognostic algorithms display when maintenance may be required. In addition to mechanical and engine health monitoring, GPMS’s advanced HUMS tracks flight data, exceedances, and guides rotor track and balance, giving maintainers the power to understand, predict, and perform.
“HUMS technology brings an important level of safety and cost-effectiveness to helicopter operations,” said Rob Roedts, Columbia’s Vice President of Aircraft Solutions. “As the OEM on the Model 234, and as we continue to support customers’ MRO needs on the CH-47, we look forward to collaborating with GPMS to secure an STC and make this technology available to all of our current and future Columbia aircraft owners and operators.”
“GPMS was founded to bring a lighter, more affordable HUMS system to commercial helicopter aviation,” says GPMS President Jed Kalkstein. “By working directly with OEMs like Columbia, we can ensure the system is fully optimized for the aircraft, thus delivering valuable information to helicopter maintainers so they can be more efficient and better informed. With Foresight MX HUMS onboard, operators can operate more cost effectively, increase aircraft availability, and better avoid costly surprises.”
Under the terms of the understanding, Columbia and GPMS will collaborate and utilize one of Columbia’s company CH-47 helicopters to target STC completion by end of 2023.
ABOUT COLUMBIA HELICOPTERS
Columbia Helicopters is the global leader in heavy-lift helicopter operations and a trusted expert in maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. Backed by over 65 years of experience, Columbia operates internationally, often conducting operations in remote, austere conditions, providing safe and reliable aircraft and qualified personnel that meet demanding global transport requirements. Columbia leverages its position as the OEM for the Model 234 and 107-II helicopters, and an FAA Type Certificate holder of the CH-47D Chinook, to provide responsive modifications, lifecycle support, and MRO services trusted worldwide by a diverse customer base. For more information, please visit www.colheli.com.
