Columbia Helicopters, Inc. is an aerospace company that specializes in manufacturing and operating commercial helicopters. It was founded in 1957 by Wes Lematta in Portland, Oregon, and is currently headquartered in Aurora, Oregon. The company is known for its expertise in tandem rotor helicopters, specifically the Boeing Vertol 107 and 234, which are used for diverse activities such as stream restoration, aerial firefighting, construction, film production, government support, oil exploration, disaster response, and heli-logging for forestry. Columbia Helicopters also operates a large Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) repair station that caters to clients globally.
Columbia Helicopters has a rich history that began with Wes Lematta’s purchase of a single Hiller 12B helicopter in 1957. He gained fame by rescuing 15 sailors from a sinking dredge in Coos Bay, Oregon, and received the Army Air Medal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for his efforts. Over the years, Lematta innovated the use of Direct Visual Observational Control, which allows pilots to see where they’re placing loads, and pioneered the development of the first pilot bubble window for enclosed cockpits. In 1971, Jack Erickson and Wes Lematta demonstrated the first financially successful heli-logging operation in the Plumas National Forest in California, using Sikorsky S-61 and Boeing Vertol 107 helicopters. Today, Columbia Helicopters is led by Steve Bandy as the President and CEO, with Stan Wilson serving as the Chairman of the Board.