Our heavyweight helicopter equal in the world does not have
In Rostov started production of the most load-lifting rotary-wing car The Russian holding «Helicopt[...]
234 Chinook
• Civil CH-47 variant • Oil exploration support • Limited production
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epresenting the muscle among the Western world’s helicopter designs, the Chinook was seen as an ideal aircraft for companies specialising in construction, logging and petroleum exploration. Although the Chinook was designed for military use and is well-known for its US Army duty in Vietnam, this big, durable, rotary-wing craft can handle heavy cargoes and travel respectable distances making it ideal for commercial applications.
◄ Dual-role heavy litter
Booing Helicopters marketed the Commercial Chinook as an aircraft combining heavy-lift capabilities (nine tonnes internally or 12.7 tonnes externally) with a useful 44-seat passenger load.
◄ Prototype
The first military CH-47 Chinoob took to the гиг n 1961. tt was not until 19 August 1980 that this, the 234LR prototype, was first flown.
▼ Cold weather versatility
Alaska’s oldest and largest helicopter operator, ERA Helicopters, took delivery of a 234ER in 1985 to support oil exploration rigs in the Bering Sea.
FACTS AND FIGURES
► In all-passenger versions of the 234. a galloy and tollot are fitted. A passenger attendant can also be carried.
► The first Commercial Chinook made its maiden flight on 19 August 1980.
>• British Airways Helicopters accepted the first of its six 234s In December 1980.
>■ Columbia Helicopters reported the 234 ‘an excellent success’ in logging operations in mountainous areas.
► Model 234s carry external cargoes slur>9 from as many as four separate hooks.
► Boeing engineers claim that the Chinook fuselage will hold 180,000 golf balls.
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profile
In I9"s, Boeing Helicopter Іч-gan development of the M<klel 234. a civil version of ihe famous Cl І Г Chilli к>к ltelicop! l‘i The (.’ommeivi. il Chinook was offered In all – рдкчепце». combined passenger – freight and all-cargo models, the first examples entering airline •ісл’іСс in Britain in 1981 These machine’ carried people and cargo In чи Scotland to offshon.* oil plaifonit’ in the North Sea Mi Kiel 234s were available in four versions, each configured for differing roles front
passenger tr. inspmt to Hying crane’ duties Principal differences centred on intcrioi linings and fuel cap. iclt) Production aircraft were of the 2.3 d It ‘Ijong Ksinge’ and 254KK ‘(extended Range’ variants, the latter having extra fuel tanks which boosted range hy more than 1500 km <930 miles).
Only a small шітіч-г wen* Ішіїї. ini’hiding six aircraft foi British Airways Helicopters and I hive for Helikoptei Service S, ol Norway, from the ntld-I9KO> five Survivors ill’ the ex-HAM
Above: British Ajrways Helicopters was tho first and largest Model 234 operator, taking delivery of six 234LRs dunng 1981 and 1982. They were finished in Ihe standard BA colour scheme of the day.
fleet were engaged in logging operations with Columbia Helicopters in Oregon. I S, anti other examples were in use in Alaska Trailing as I ‘SAir Shuttle. Shuttle Incorporated operated two 234$ between New Vnrk and Atlantic Cite from 1989.
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North Sea 234 operations
gjJJG. RANGE ABILITY: Tho Ccmmorctal
: ,nr")L’ 11 ач obvious choco for
tlv» " 1 WHon* Most v. oro writ within
K"®* *34-n range from their Aboiiwi base
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Rio support air bases •7*‘on»i Sou oil rigs 1. ~ ‘ “Mode! 234 range Chinook routes “-*-Fixed-wing routor.
Other helicopter routes
Boeing Helicopters
