Columbia Helicopters has broken ground at its Aurora, Ore. headquarters for the expansion of its T55 engine maintenance program. The building will include a T55-714 engine test cell to allow the MRO to provide complete engine overhaul and quick-turn-around service for troubleshooting and engine testing. Columbia has more than 26 years’ experience operating the Model 234, the civilian version of the CH-47 Chinook. “The building of this cell allows [Columbia] to provide complete nose-to-tail Chinook maintenance,” said Scott Ellis, Columbia’s director of business development. “As a civilian operator we can provide our customers with years of experience on the Chinook and now our capability includes the newest engine model installed in the aircraft.” Columbia Helicopters provides Chinook fleets for domestic and international operations, repair and overhaul of drive train components, engines and airframe repairs, avionics repair and installation, and technical assistance to civilian and military Chinook operators, including those flying the F model.