Schweizer 300CBi

Type (Muster)
Light training helicopter (Einmotoriger Leichthubschrauber für die Pilotenausbildung)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Schweizer Aircraft Corp.
1250 Schweizer Road
Horseheads, New York 14845

Phone: 001-607/739-3821
Fax: 001-607/796-2488
Internet: http://www.schweizer-aircraft.com

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 1, or 2 in the utility role

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Textron Lycoming O-360 with fuel injection
Power (Leistung): 1 x 134 kW (180 shp) for take-off and maximum continuous

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 6,76 m
Length overall, rotor turning (Länge über drehenden Rotor): 9,40 m
Height (Höhe): 2,65 m
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 1,30 m
Width over skids (Breite über die Landekufen): 1,99 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 8,18 m
Tail-rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,30 m
Main rotor disk (Hauptrotorfläche): 52,49 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 1,50 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,44 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 493 kg
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 300 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 88 kg (32,5 gal) or 174 kg (64 gal)
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 794 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (Vne) (max. zulässige Geschwindigkeit): 174 km/h (94 kts) at sea level
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): 148 km/h (80 kts)
Max. rate of climb (Steigrate): 6,35 m/s at sea level
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 3050 m
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 1463 m (4800 ft)
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 2133 m (7000 ft)
Max. range (Reichweite): 362 km jor 708 km with additional fuel
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 3.1 hours or 6.1 hours with additional fuel

Cost (Kosten)
2002 base price for the new 300Cbi was 214750 US-Dollars, an increase of 5000 US-Dollars over its predecessor.
The 300CB was offered for around 189500 US-Dollars in 1998, which represented a decrease of approximately 4,5 per cent.
Estimated direct operations costs (including reserves for overhaul) were 51,6 US-Dollars in early 2001, with fuel at 1,8 US-Dollars per gallon.

Customers (Kunden)
Over 120 were sold by the beginning of 2001, with 22 delivered in 2000, 11 in 1999, 21 in 1998, 19 in 1997, 31 in 1996 and 21 in 1995.
Lead customer was Helicopter Adventures, a training school in Concord (California). Other operators include Helifly (Belgium), other US schools like Group 3 Aviation (Van Nuys, California), Sierra Academy and ProCopter Internationl as well as Heli Express (Quebec, Canada). A 330CB was delivered to Aerospace Ltd. of Siberia for powerline and pipeline patrol in 1997. In South Korea, the Airman Air Service Co. got one.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Enstrom 280
Robinson R22

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The 300CBi is the latest variant of the Schweizer 300-series (Model 269 in FAA parlance). It offers the same performance as the 300CB, but with "smoother, more responsive characteristics”, i.e. simplified operating procedures, reduced operating costs and further safety adavancements. Changes from the earlier 300CB include:

fuel injection engine.
new electronic STAR system which includes a start-up overspeed limiter, automatic rotor engagement and a low RPM warning device.
new splined main rotor driveshaft and hub. The driveshaft has now a retirement life of 4000 hours.

Previously, Schweizer had developed the 300CB especially for training use. Compared to the standard Model 300 it featured:

a less powerful engine
a one-piece upper pulley hub
an improved filtration system
a lightweight exhaust
an improved oil filter

History (Geschichte)
The 300CB made its first flight on 28. May 1993 and received its certification in August 1995. Production did run in parallel with the 300B.
By the summer of 1999, the 300CB fleet had exceeded 100000 flight hours.
Schweizer Aircraft had its sixtieth anniversary in December 1999. Up to that time, it had built 762 helicopters.
Total production of the original Hughes Model 269 series and its derivatives is now 3500 helicopters. The milestone aircraft (a Schweizer 300CB) has been sold to Helicopter Adventures in Concord (California) and was displayed at Heli Expo in Las Vegas (January 2000).
The TBO time for the Lycoming engine was increased from 2000 to 2200 hours in the summer of 2000.
The Schweizer 300C and 300CB became the first western helicopters to receive Ukrainian type certification on 18 January 2001. They meet AP-27, which is similar to FAR 27. Other states like Kazakhstan and Moldova have also accepted the Ukrainian certifiaction.
At the Heli-Expo in Orlando in February 2002, Schweizer announced the availability of a new automatic engagement system (AES), which provides a start-up overspeed governor, a computer controlled rotor engagement device, and a low rotor warning device. In August 2002, Schweizer announced a 100-hour life extension to the main rotor drive shaft of the 300CB, to 2000 hours. This is in line with the engine overhaul schedule.
By mid-2002, the 300CB fleet had flown over 200000 hours with only 11 accidents and no fatalities.
Meanwhile, the Model 300CBi was announced at the end of February 2002. It replaced the 300CB in production from the summer of 2002. First delivery was planned for June, but apparently actually occured in August, to UK distributor CSE Aviation Limited. Approval from the UK CAA was obtained in September. In total, Schweizer claimed orders for ten 300CBis from five countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK and USA) by October 2002.

Last updated 10 October 2002

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