Boeing 234 Chinook: Buyer’s and Investor’s Guide

The Boeing 234 Chinook is the civilian variant of the CH-47 Chinook military helicopter.

The Boeing 234 Chinook is a twin engined tandem rotor heavylift helicopter, mainly used for moving very heavy equipment. The helicopter has three external cargo hooks for underslung loads. The current military version is the CH-47F Chinook. With the introduction of the CH-47F, there are a number of CH-47D Chinooks coming from the military and being converted for civilian use. It is also known as the Boeing Vertol BV-234.

Mission: Oversized loads such as cranes or towers, logging, any large structures, is able to transport large number of people

First Flight: September 1961

Fleet: Over 1,200 (all variants)

Performance

Max speed: 170 knots (196 mph/315 kmh)

Cruise speed: 130 kts (149 mph/ 240 kmh)

Range: 450 miles (741 kmh)

Weight

Max take-off weight: 50,000 lb (22,680 kg)

Empty weight: 23,500 lb (10,185 kg)

Loaded weight: 26,680 lb (12,100 kg)