Billings Flying Service (BFS) is one of the longest-established helicopter operators in the United States, with roots dating back to 1946 in Billings, Montana. Founded in the early post-war era, the company initially focused on fixed-wing operations before becoming a pioneer in commercial helicopter services across the western U.S. Over the decades, BFS built a strong reputation for operating in challenging environments, particularly in mountainous and remote regions, and became closely associated with utility, firefighting, and government aviation missions.
Today, Billings Flying Service provides a wide range of specialized helicopter services, including aerial firefighting, utility and external-load operations, powerline construction and maintenance, aerial survey, and government contracting. The company operates a diverse fleet that has included Bell, Airbus, and Robinson helicopters, and it has played a key role in U.S. military and public-sector. With nearly eight decades of operational experience, BFS remains a major reference name in U.S. rotary-wing aviation.
In December 2025, BFS was acquired by Quanta Services, Inc. as part of an effort to strengthen Quanta Aviation Services’ heavy-lift helicopter capabilities with CH-47 Chinook aircraft.
News about Billings Flying Service |
12-Dec-25 - Quanta Services, a provider of specialized infrastructure solutions, has acquired Montana-based heavy-lift helicopter operator Billings Flying Service (BFS). #Billings
19-Mar-25 - Billings Flying Service (BFS) receives U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Restricted Type Certification for former Royal Netherlands Air Force ( RNLAF) Boeing CH-47D Chinook acquired in 2023. The helicopters are upgraded with glass cockpits, NVG compatibility, and auto hover features #Chinook
21-Jan-25 - Billings Flying Service (BFS) commends Montana and California lawmakers in urging FAA certification for its ex Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47D Chinook firefighting helicopters #firefighting
02-Jul-24 - Billings Flying Service was awarded contract by the Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to operate a CH-47 Chinook firefighter helicopter in the State #Montana
28-Feb-24 - Heavy-lift service provider Billings Flying Service (BFS) has received the first-ever U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) exemption for surplus ex-foreign military CH-47 Chinook helicopters. BFS acquired 6 ex-Dutch CH-47D last year, which are currently undergoing airworthiness certification #Chinook
14-Jun-23 - Billings Flying Service (BFS) takes Delivery of 6 ex Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47D Chinook helicopters acquired at the end of last year
#Chinook
10-Mar-23 - Billings Flying Service (BFS) in final negotiations to purchase 6 Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47D Chinook helicopters recently replaced in RNLAF service by the CH-47F variant #Chinook
03-Sep-20 - Onboard Systems from Vancouver, Washington granted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its replacement cargo hook kits for commercial Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters #BlackHawk
06-Jun-18 - Kawak from Bend, Oregon received FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for its CH-47D Chinook aerial liquid delivery system (ALDS) and auxiliary hydraulic system. #firefighting
25-Apr-18 - All of us at Kawak Aviation are very happy to see the results of our efforts to design, manufacture, test, and now see completed FAA flight testing of this new Chinook CH-47 fire fighting system for our customer Billings flying service. #firefighting
04-Aug-14 - BILLINGS, Montana - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Billings Flying Service application for a restricted type certificate on the Chinook CH-47D helicopter.
04-Jun-14 - The Army completed the sale of the first 10 CH-47D Chinook helicopters that were auctioned through the General Services Administration website.
Units within this Organisation |
 Model Types
|
|
