Intercompany
News
Volume 28, No. 1
Columbia’s Affiliate
Acquires Canadian
Company Helifor
At Columbia Helicopters, it’s
not unusual for a long time
employee to invite a friend to join
the company. It usually works
out so that everyone, including
the company benefits from the
addition.
It’s a little less common for
the company itself to bring a long
time friend onboard.
However, Columbia did just
that when the company an-
nounced a Canadian affiliate’s
acquisition of Helifor’s business.
Helifor is a British Columbia-
based company specializing in
logging and heavy-lift helicopter
operations. The transaction is
subject to Canada’s Ministry of
Transport approval.
Columbia Helicopters and
Helifor have had a strong rela-
tionship that has spanned sev-
eral decades, in which Columbia
would lease a number of aircraft
to Helifor each year. These
aircraft were used primarily for
logging operations in British
Columbia, but also performed
Continued on Page 3
Spring 2006
Columbia Crew Works In the Grand Canyon
In the remarkable Grand Canyon National Park, few commodities are
as precious as water.
While millions of years of water flow has helped to shape the brilliant
colored chasm, it is potable water that sustains life and helps to support
the thousands of visitors that visit the park annually.
Columbia was
recently called to help
replenish the flow of
clean, clear water to
visitor facilities. Water
pumps that supply the
North Rim visitor
complex failed in
December. Since the
Park Service closes
the North Rim facili-
ties to the public in the
winter, it was a low
priority until tourist
season approached.
N191CH and her
crew were working on
a logging project in Southern California’s San
Bernardino mountains, and was among the Continued on Page 5
Columbia Purchases Chinook and
Vertol Type Certificates From Boeing
Columbia Helicopters is pleased to announce the completion of the
acquisition of the Type Certificates for the Vertol 107-II and Model 234
Chinook helicopters from The Boeing Company.
A transfer ceremony will take place at Columbia’s world headquarters
in Aurora, Oregon on June 26. From that day, the aircraft will be identi-
fied as the Columbia Vertol 107-II and Columbia 234 Chinook.
These certificates will enable Columbia Helicopters to access all
dimensions, materials and processes encompassing the complex,
military-style helicopters that the company operates. Further, if the
company chooses to couple the Type Certificates with a FAA-issued
Continued on Page 4
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Mike Fahey, President

As we look forward to another productive year at Columbia Helicop-

ters, I wanted to give you some of my thoughts on where I think we are
now and where we need to go as a company. To do this we must first
look back and thank Wes Lematta for his incredible foresight in creating
a company that truly cares for the well being of every employee. Without
his conviction to values of loyalty, commitment, and quality service, we
would not be here today. It is with this background that we can begin to
look at what we need to do to continue Wes’ legacy and take Columbia
Helicopters well into the 21st century.
As you are undoubtedly aware by now, we have adopted a series of
statements that will help to guide us into the future of Columbia Helicop-
ters (see box). Our Mission
Statement is more than a guideline,
it is a focus that each of us must
have in mind as we go about our
work. In order to meet the Mission
Statement, we have also imple-
mented Vision and Value state-
ments. These are not “supporting”
statements; they stand alone and
serve to remind us of standards
that Wes has used for years to
OUR MISSION:
build his company to the size and To be the provider of choice for helicopter
stature it is today. operations and maintenance solutions worldwide.
In the past several years, we
have begun to look at what we can
do to make us more competitive in OUR VISION:
the marketplace. We cannot stand To be the dominant provider of heavy lift helicopter
still while our competitors move services, by providing the highest quality helicop-
forward and grow. Recently, we
ter operation, and to use our excellent reputation
acquired our long-time Canadian
logging partner, Helifor, and we are and maintenance capabilities to become a major
nearing completion of acquiring the provider of quality maintenance services.
Type Certificates for the Model 234
Chinook and Vertol 107-II. While
these are significant steps toward
OUR VALUES:
reaching our goals, we must look · Integrity: Be honest with ourselves and our
at companies like our longtime customers in every facet of our service.
friends Boeing, Honeywell and GE · Safety: Hold safe practices at the forefront of
to learn how to think and win big
without compromising our values. every effort.
It is of the utmost importance that · Customer Service: Utilize experience, innova-
we begin the process of redefining tion and continuous improvements to convert
who we are, where we are going,
customer problems into solutions.
and what we want to achieve. To
that end, we must evaluate our · Performance: Meet or exceed expectations.
· Teamwork: Work as a team in meeting our chal-
Continued on Page 3 lenges.
2
Helifor
Continued from Page 1

other work requiring

heavy-lift helicopters,
such as supporting oil
and mining operations,
construction projects and
fighting forest fires.
Helifor has operated
as the helicopter-logging
arm of Vancouver-based
International Forest
Products (Interfor) for
decades. Helifor will
continue to operate
independently in British
Columbia with its present
management team.
They will retain the trade
name Helifor.
“We are looking
forward to the opportunities this acquisition will open for ourselves and Helifor,” said Columbia Helicopters’
President, Mike Fahey. “Columbia has had a wonderful relationship with Helifor and Interfor for many years,
dating back to the late 1970’s.”
“The people at Helifor are a fine group - our friends - and we look forward to becoming a stronger company
through the addition of their great team,” added Fahey. “We expect the acquisition will help to expand Helifor’s
market opportunities throughout Canada.”
The acquisition affects approximately 90 staff Helifor employees, including pilots, engineers (mechanics)
and management, plus rigging crew employees and various contractors.

Our Mission, Vision and Values

Continued from Page 2

vision for the future, what behaviors we want to characterize, and how we can become more efficient in all
areas of our operation.
I think it’s important that we bring this focus, our vision, to Columbia Helicopters. We want to begin
expanding our operations smartly and we need to define that direction to the organization. But direction
alone is not sufficient to make us grow. We must go back to the companies I mentioned before and learn
from their success and failures. We must get out of the “not created here” syndrome and open our minds
to new and exciting ways of doing business. For example, we must look at improving internal processes
so we can be more competitive. We must investigate how we can be more efficient and reduce costs.
This new vision and focus is an important, major piece of the mosaic that is Columbia Helicopters.
We have always been dedicated, hard working, and truly caring of our fellow employees. We must garner
these strengths and use them to catapult us to the next level.
In summary, creating a new vision, thinking about behaviors, and fixing processes is not something
that we can undertake lightly, nor is it something that Columbia Helicopters can achieve at a two-day
seminar. It needs strategic thinking, the creation of something that everybody can buy into, and it needs
time. But most of all, it needs passion! I think we have that passion and I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves
and get started. Will you join me?
3
CHI Attains 600,000 Flight Hours In Vertol Fleet
Columbia Helicopters bought the first of our Boeing Vertol 107-II helicopters in 1969, so it’s taken a few years
to reach this milestone. However, milestones like this are usu-
ally worth the wait.
The company’s current active fleet of 14 Vertol 107-IIs re-
cently surpassed the 600,000-flight hour milestone with its fleet
of Boeing/Kawasaki Vertol 107-II helicopters. The aircraft and
crews accomplished the feat on January 23, 2006, when nine
of Columbia’s Vertols were working in California, Oregon, West
Virginia, Canada and New Zealand.
The Vertol 107-II is powered by two GE CT58 turbine en-
gines. Consequently, Columbia has now surpassed 1.2 million
flight hours with these engines.
As a comparison, 600,000 flight hours are the equivalent of
spending 25,000 days, or about 68.5 years in the air.
“This is a truly significant milestone for us,” said President
Mike Fahey. “One of our Vertols is the world’s highest time he-
licopter, and this latest benchmark proves that this is one of the
most durable helicopters ever made.”
“We’ve always said that Boeing designed and built a truly
amazing helicopter,” continued Fahey. “This milestone proves
this statement correct once again.”
“We are also very pleased with the reliability and performance
of the GE powerplants,” added Fahey. “Once again, we wouldn’t
be at this point without a very dependable, very well built prod-
uct.”
“We would like to take this opportunity to salute both Boeing
and GE - Aviation for their part in helping us to achieve this
milestone,” finished Fahey.
Columbia acquired the first of its fleet of 14 active Vertols in
1969, when founder Wes Lematta purchased three aircraft that had been flying for Pan-Am in New York City. The
company also owns several inactive Vertols, including six CH-113 Labradors acquired from the Canadian govern-
ment late in 2005.

Columbia Acquires Two Type Certificates From Boeing

Continued from Page 1

Production Certificate, Columbia Helicopters could conceivably build and sell the massive helicopters to
commercial operators around the world.
“Our mission is to be the provider of choice for helicopter operations and maintenance solutions world-
wide,” said Mike Fahey, President of Columbia Helicopters. Acquiring the Type Certificates will compliment
our ability to serve our maintenance customers in a cost-effective manner, and will significantly streamline
Columbia’s work with vendors and the FAA.”
“We operate one of the most comprehensive maintenance programs and facilities in the industry,”
added Fahey. “These certificates will significantly enhance our position within the industry.”
The Type Certificate transfer ceremony will also celebrate Columbia’s 30th Anniversary at the company’s
headquarters in Aurora. The company moved from Swan Island to the current facility in 1976. Since then
the facility has been expanded several times to accommodate the company’s fleet growth, and its growing
outside maintenance services for both commercial and military customers.

4
CHI Helicopter Works In GNCP
Continued from Page 1

closest Type-1 helicopters available when the National

Park Service prepared to replaced the pumps.
The crew and aircraft arrived late on a Friday
afternoon and were quickly given an orientation flight in
a Park Service helicopter. Work commenced Satur-
day morning, and involved delivering three new pumps
from the North Rim to the pump house at Roaring
Springs and carrying the two worn-out pumps back up
to the North Rim. The helicopter also carried two
pallets of grout from the South Rim to the pump
house, which meant flying across the Canyon at sites
which were easily visible to hikers, rafters and other
tourists. The crew also picked up a load of rubber
matting from a site near a bridge over the Colorado
River close to the popular Phantom Ranch. The
matting, which had worn out, had been in place to give
the famous Grand Canyon mules better footing as
they crossed the bridge.
Columbia’s crew on the project included Project
Manager Paul Jablonski; Pilots Dave Sumerlin and
Colin Franklin; Crew Chiefs Abe Abel and Darren
Forcier; and Logger Bill Ruff, who worked on the
project as a Load Coordinator.

Upper Right: N191CH delivers a load of grout to the

Roaring Springs Water Pump House, which is located
on the floor of the Grand Canyon. The water is
pumped to the rim of the Canyon in the background.
Middle Right: Project Manager Paul Jablonski (cen-
ter) unhooks a load of grout at the pump house,
assisted by USPS Assistant Helitak Supervisor Jay
Lusher. Lower right: Crews maneuver the first of two
old pumps into position as N191CH begins to lift it
away from the pump house. Below: The crew of
N191CH pose with the crew from the Grand Can-
yon National Park Helitak crew.

5
Columbia Crew Helps to Recover Grounded Fishing Vessel
It happens usually at least once
during the winter, somewhere
along the hundreds of miles of
Pacific Coastline.
A vessel – whether a fishing
boat, cargo ship or barge – meets
the wrong circumstances and
goes aground.
In Columbia Helicopters’ storied
history, the company’s helicopters
have repeatedly responded to
assist in recovering these stranded
vessels.
The most recent was the Sea
Toi, a 62-foot fishing boat that went
aground a few miles south of
Waldport, Oregon. The commer-
cial fishing vessel ran aground
shortly after 2 a.m. on Sunday,
March 26. All four crew members
safely reached the beach.
On the following Tuesday, one
of Columbia’s Vertol 107-II helicop-
ters, working with salvage legend
Mick Leitz of Fred Devine Diving & Salvage, successfully towed a synthetic line from the beached vessel to a
waiting tug.
Columbia’s crew on this project included Project Manager
Don Patterson; Pilots Andre Hutchings and Tim Booth;
Assistant Crew Chief John Decker, and mechanic Aaron
Nims.
Above: N189CH hovers over the beach near the grounded
Sea Toi, as ground crews hook the tow line to the hook on the
helicopter. Left: N189CH approaches the tug waiting off
shore, and prepares to lay the counter-weight on to the deck.
Below: with the counter weight already onboard, the helicop-
ter tows the line against the pull of the surf and tide.

6
MS Walk Portland 2006
Dick Baker

The financial success of any charitable drive

depends on the people who take time and make the
effort to promote the project. This year’s team reached
the team goal of $5,000.
The walk began on a dark and dreary morning, as
usual, and our troops began to arrive at 9:00 AM. The
picture (top, right) was taken at 9:44 AM. We were
waiting for Shawn Thompson and five student nurses.
We were also looking for the Callahans, Ken & Diane.
Because of their tardiness, they are not in the picture.
At 10:00 AM sharp we were on our way. Valerie
McLain and Nancy Woodhead were off like a shot.
The rest of us were not. When we crossed Front
Street, who should appear but the Callahans, Shawn
Thompson and the medical team. They were all
moving at a much faster speed than the rest of us. We
crossed the Steel Bridge and on to the Esplanade. The
view back over the river is very impressive. There
were hundreds of people walking along the River Walk
with the city in the background.
About this time, Shirley Thompson found another scooter driver and a silent contest was on. She did beat
him to the finish line. Her pit stops were much shorter than his. About half way through the walk, we were
introduced to a 5’ 4" fisherman with a 5-foot sturgeon. Neither the fisherman nor the fish had anything to say,
but both had big smiles.
The other picture (middle, right) included is of the Callahans and Valerie who were the receiving commit-
tee that welcomed us at the finish line. The medical group had already escaped.
Seven of the team, including yearly participants John and Cari Olson, then went to the Village Inn in Lake
Oswego for breakfast or lunch. At that time, we also celebrated Ken Callahan’s birthday. He can vote now!
Everyone decided it had been a Fun Day.
This years team included Mike Fahey, Wes Lematta, Jack Hollenbeck, Val Vandahey, Randy Johnson, Don
Breese, John Kaye, Valerie McLain, Nancy Woodhead, Lindsey Gregor, Dick Baker, Ken Callahan, Jenifer
Reneau and Shirley Thompson.

Columbia’s Team Raises Over $3,500

During March of Dimes WalkAmerica
Columbia’s March of Dimes team once again
stepped lively and raised over $3,500 during the
organization’s annual WalkAmerica. This total included
the $1,620 raised by the walkers, and the matching
amount by Columbia Helicopters.
Chris Devincenzi was once again the team’s top
walker, raising $1,230 before the match, which doubled
out to a total of $2,460.
This year’s team included Bob and Judy Berkey,
Rachel, Kay and Marvin Boen, Donna Jo Breck, Kathleen Browning, Chris Devincenzi, Dexter and Collen
Honnors, Mun-Sik Kang, Jake, Nicole and Megan Landress, Carina Myrand, Jenifer Reneau, Pam Seelye,
Erik & Diane Steckmest, Dan Sweet, and Don and Jan Venable.

7
REMINDERS FROM PERSONNEL
MEDICAL INSURANCE:

Open enrollment for PacificSource & Kaiser Insurance is
November of each year; January is the effective date of any
changes.

If you acquire a new dependent as a result of marriage,
birth, and/or adoption, you must notify the Personnel Dept.
i
and complete and return any required forms so that your new a pp
l
dependent may be enrolled in your plan. For PacificSource
S ch
members, your dependent must be enrolled within 31 days of
a ne
the date of the marriage, birth, and/or adoption. For Kaiser J
members, your dependents, except new born babies and
adopted children, must be enrolled within 31 days of acquiring
the dependent; new born babies and adopted children must
be enrolled with 60 days from the date of birth and/or the date
the adopted child is placed with you for adoption.
LIFE INSURANCE:

Effective May 1, 2006, Hartford has increased supplement
life insurance to $400,000 (was $200,000). Anyone who
wants to increase their current coverage to any amount over $200,000 (in $10,000 increments) up to
$400,000 will need to provide Evidence of Insurability to Hartford. These forms are available in Personnel.
A Supplemental Life Insurance Change form is also required.
BENEFICIARY CHANGES:

If you get married, remarried or divorced please remember to make the necessary changes to your
beneficiaries for your life insurance and 401(k)/Profit Sharing. Life insurance beneficiaries can be changed
at any time; 401(k)/Profit Sharing beneficiaries do require a divorce decree or settlement agreement.
WORKERS COMP INJURIES:

Please be sure to immediately notify Donna Ford in Personnel (x302), George Warren, Safety VP
(x215), Jeff Kerr (x406) and Roger Lansden in Logging (x250) of any on-the-job injuries.
FMLA/OFLA MEDICAL LEAVES, SICK LEAVE & SHORT TERM
DISABILITY (STD): Intercompany News is published by Columbia
Call the Personnel Manager (x285) for all questions regarding medical Helicopters, Inc. It is written for employees of the
company and serves as a direct line of communi-
leaves, Short-term & Long Term disability policies. cation among all headquarters and field person-

Medical leaves such as parental leave or pre-scheduled medical nel. Articles and article ideas are invited. The
company grants permission to any other publica-
procedures/surgeries require a 30-day notice. Unexpected or emer- tion to reprint articles provided credit is given to
gency medical conditions require a phone call to Personnel at the Columbia Helicopters. The company reserves the
earliest possible time. right to publish any material received unless
marked not for publication. Send correspondence

Notify the Personnel Manager immediately if you have a non-work to Intercompany News, Columbia Helicopters,
related injury or illness that may last longer than 7 days, as you may Inc., P.O. Box 3500, Portland, OR 97208.
be eligible for Short Term disability.
Jon Lazzaretti Vice President, Marketing
MISCELLANEOUS: Dan Sweet Editor, Media Services Manager

If you have changed your residential address recently, please Marci Abel Editorial Assistant
notify Personnel and fill out Form #PER-124.

Make sure you have current Emergency Contact Phone Num-
bers. (Form #PER-081)

For questions or information regarding Medical or Life Insurance

or Workers Compensation claims, please contact Donna Ford @ x302. Aurora Airport, Aurora, Oregon
Tel: (503) 678-1222
For questions or information on Family Medical Leave, Short Fax: (503) 678-5841
Term Disability, or Long Term Disability, please contact Jane Schlappi @ E-mail: info@colheli.com
Internet: www.colheli.com
x285. P.O. Box 3500, Portland, OR 97208
An Equal Opportunity Employer