Friday, March 17, 2017

PNG Registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol Chinook 234LR Helicopter P2-CHK Spotted at Mackay and Emerald Airports

As mentioned on our Facebook page, on Thursday 16 March, Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol 234LR Chinook helicopter P2-CHK was spotted on the ground at Mackay Airport.




It had earlier arrived from Cairns and Townsville after arriving earlier in the week from PNG.
















The big civilian Chinook helicopter is on a ferry flight from PNG to the Melbourne docks where it will be shipped back to the United States of America (USA) - a 21-day journey!















After taking in fuel at Mackay, P2-CHK departed for Emerald Airport where it spent the night.




Early on Friday 17 March, P2-CHK departed Emerald Airport for Roma before it was due to continue to Dubbo and Wagga Wagga (New South Wales).  It is expected to continue to Melbourne over the weekend.


P2-CHL (C/N MJ-006) is a 1981 build tandem rotor chopper that is leased by Columbia Helicopters (PNG) from Columbia Helicopters Inc (CHI) in the USA.  It is one of several based in the Southern Highlands base of Moro that reportedly work on petroleum exploration operations in PNG, flying entire petroleum drilling rigs piece by piece over the top of PNG's ecologically sensitive rain forests.  See more at:  http://www.colheli.com/aerial/oil-and-gas/#sthash.FnNsZ37T.dpuf


Columbia Helicopters Inc (CHI) is an aircraft manufacturing and operating company based in Aurora, Oregon, in the United States of America (USA). They are known for operating tandem rotor helicopters - presently the Boeing-Vertol 107 and Boeing-Vertol 234. These helicopters are primarily used in stream restoration and forestry operations including heli-logging, oil exploration, fire suppression, construction, government support, film production, disaster response and many other activities. In addition the company operates a large FAA Repair Station supporting customers around the world.

What a great visitor to CQ!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos and video taken by 'AC' and Phoebe Waldron  ©

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