Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, N.Y., a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft, announced here at Heli-Expo it had recently signed a contract with Caseright Aviation of the UK for 10 new Schweizer 300CBi piston helicopters. Deliveries are to begin early next year.
Caseright is a Schweizer distributor and provides sales and service from its Turweston Airfield operation. The 300CBi, certified in 2002, is an enhanced version of the 300CB. Schweizer also manufactures the model 300C and 333 helicopters, the Fire Scout VTUAV, the SA 2-37B and RU-38B surveillance airplanes and numerous major airframe components for other manufacturers.
End-of-Year Delivery Spike
Deliveries of new helicopters at Schweizer spiked at the end of last year, with a total of 13 new aircraft going out the manufacturer’s door.
One of the 333 turbine models is being equipped with an Altair Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) to meet the requirements of UK operator Total Air Management Services. The 12-pound Altair unit provides FADEC-like start control to assist with prevention and avoidance of engine hot starts. It also monitors 32 engine and airframe parameters for trend and exceedance information that can be downloaded real time or stored for later reference. Completion of FAA and EASA certification is scheduled for later this year.
Total Air Management Services has also ordered four Model 333s to fulfill a UK pipeline patrol contract that will require covering 20,000 km (about 12,200 sm) every two weeks. The fleet will operate a minimum of 300 hours per month.
TAMS recently acquired and is operating the first 333 to be issued a certificate of airworthiness by Britain’s CAA.
Six Model 333s were furnished to the government of Mexico, which has an additional two aircraft on order. The Rolls-Royce 250-powered helicopters will perform airborne law enforcement and surveillance missions that include border patrol, drug enforcement and interdiction.
The San Antonio Police Department Helicopter Detail, which recently took delivery of its fifth Schweizer, acquired the first of four 330SPs in 1997. They were later upgraded to 333s and have operated an average of 2,100 hours per year on patrol, searches, aerial photography, covert surveillance and command and control operations.
“When the SAPD made the decision to purchase Schweizer 333s, it was evaluated against other single-engine turbine helicopters,” said Sgt. Patrick McNamara III. “We have found it to be an ideal aircraft for the airborne law enforcement patrol role, both for its ability to perform the mission and do it at a lower cost than any other turbine helicopter in its class. We will continue to select the Schweizer 333 for our police patrol helicopter.”
Utah operator High Desert Helicopters will take delivery at Heli-Expo 2005 of its third new 300C in the past year.
“We began operations in May of 2004 with one new 300C,” said chief instructor and High Desert president Russ Buttars. “Since that time, the 300C has proven itself to be a fantastic flight training helicopter in the mountainous environment in which we train. We have been able to train two students from zero time to CFII in less than eight months in addition to an array of other students who have less aggressive flying schedules.”
Schweizer and Sikorsky are displaying their wares for the first time together at Booth No. 3069.
