BILLINGS, MONTANA (March 18, 2025) - Billings Flying Service, Inc. (BFS) is pleased to announce it received FAA Restricted Category Type Certification for its surplus Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters this week. BFS acquired six CH-47D Chinooks from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) in July 2023. Two of the aircraft have been added to the type certificate while the remainder are currently completing the certification process.
“We are thrilled to announce the achievement of receiving FAA Type Certification for our CH-47D aircraft from the RNLAF,” said Bridger Blain, President and CEO of Billings Flying Service, Inc. “This milestone marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide global aviation solutions; a game-changer in the industry. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our FAA representatives for their support moving this across the finish line, our congressional partners for their efforts, and to our incredible employees whose hard work and commitment made this possible.”
The recently type certified Chinooks feature a 54,000 lbs. gross weight and 28,000 lbs. lifting capacity, neither of which are available on any other civilian operated CH-47 Chinook.
The aircraft are also equipped with glass cockpits, NVG compatibility, and auto hover features. BFS is performing additional mission modifications to make the aircraft available for firefighting during the summer of 2025.
About Billings Flying Service
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, Billings Flying Service (BFS) is a heavy lift helicopter solutions provider specializing the in CH-47 Chinook operations in aerial firefighting, utility, and construction. BFS owns and operates a FAA 145, AS9110, and Boeing-certified maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for the CH-47 Chinook, and an authorized Honeywell CH-46, 234, CH-47D and CH-47D+ Flight Control Systems (FCS) Repair Station, both of which support the BFS Chinook fleet, commercial CH-47 customers, the United States military, and foreign militaries. For more information please visit billingsflyingservice.com.
