Columbia Basin Helicopters

Founded in 1996 and based in La Grande, Oregon, Columbia Basin Helicopters provides specialized helicopter services for demanding operations across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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Airlifting Solutions, Delivering Results

Choose Columbia Basin Helicopters, Inc. for all your Heavy Helicopter Lifting and Agricultural Spraying needs. We are standing by ready to put out that Forest Fire. Prepare to work with a professional crew ready for any job at hand. With our years of experience and talented pilots Columbia Basin Helicopters, Inc. is the right company for your project.

Aviation Firefighting

Aircraft, fuel trucks, pilots and mechanics are U.S. Forest Service inspected and carded. Our KMax helicopters utilize the Bambi Max with Power Fill bucket.

Helicopter Lift Services

Specializing in precision placement of HVAC units, power line construction and ski lift construction with lift weights up to 6,000 pounds. The KMax helicopter is FAA Standard category which makes it easier to obtain congested area plans.

Agricultural Spraying

Founded in 1996 as an aerial application company supporting Federal, State, and private land owners. Our Air Tractor 802 and Bell UH1H are well suited to large application projects. We have incorporated auto on/off tied to our DGPS swath guidance system.

Helicopter Logging Services

We tailor our work to your needs from road construction, cutting, log processing, loading and trucking. We are able to helicopter log with either chokers or a grapple.

Recovery Services

We specialize in the recovery of aircraft, boats, and other vehicles. We utilize both our Huey and Kmax helicopters to assist in this process.

Helicopter Fish Stocking

Every other year, Oregon biologists dangle a device below our helicopters and drop young fish into high mountain lakes for the pleasure of Cascade anglers.

Columbia Basin Helicopters, Inc. was founded in 1996 as an aerial application company operating a Hiller Soloy based out of Echo, Oregon.  We have since moved our headquarters to the La Grande, Oregon airport with satellite bases near Baker City, Oregon and Queen Creek, Arizona.  Our fleet has grown to include two (2) Kaman 1200 KMax helicopters, three (3) Bell UH1H helicopters and five (5) Air Tractor 802 fixed wing aircraft.  We also utilize three (3) support aircraft to shuttle spare components and relief personnel when operating remotely in an all weather King Air 300, Cessna 206 and Cessna 182. 

The staff from Columbia Basin Helicopters has been very good to work with. They always show up ready to work and with great attitudes. Even in trying situations, the staff have responded well and adapted to changing conditions and direction rapidly.

Oregon Department of Forestry.

On behalf of the WSDA-Pest Program, I would like to thank Columbia Basin Helicopters, Inc. (CBH) for the excellent job on the 2019 Gypsy moth eradication. The dedication CBH puts into safety, precision, and hard work should not go unrecognized. Thank you for always staying in good communication with not only myself, but all other needed cooperators on this year’s project. Job well done.

Washington State Department of Agriculture