Schweizer 330SP

Type (Muster)
Light helicopter (Einmotoriger Leichthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Schweizer Aircraft Corp.
PO Box 147
Elmira, New York 14902

Phone: 001-607/739-3821
Fax: 001-607/796-2488

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 2-3

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Allison 250-C20W turboshaft, derated
Power (Leistung): 1 x 175 kW (235 shp) at take off, or 164 kW (220 shp) maximum continuous

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 6,82 m
Length overall, rotor turning (Länge über drehenden Rotor): 9,46 m
Height (Höhe): 3,40 m
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 1,72 m
Width over skids (Breite über die Landekufen): 1,89 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 8,30 m
Tail-rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,30 m
Main rotor disk (Hauptrotorfläche): 54,2 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 1,97 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,72 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 517
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 508 kg
Standard fuel (Kraftstoff): 276 l (73 US gal)
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 1025 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 200 km/h (108 kts)
Max. cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 100 KTAS (185 km/h)
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 11200 ft (3145 m) at 907 kg, or 6000 ft (1829 m) at 1025 kg
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 13600 ft (4145 m) at 907 kg, or 8300 ft (2530 m) at 1025 kg
Maximum range (max. Reichweite): 555 km at 500 m, standard day or 590 km at 1220 m, standard day
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4 h at 500m or 4,19 h at 1220 m

Costs (Kosten)
The 330SP sold at around 535000 US-Dollars in 1998. In mid-1997, the price had been 516900 US-Dollars.
Cost of operation estimated at 130,8 US-Dollars in 1997.

Customers (Kunden)
Over 20 Model 330s have been built by the beginning of 2000. From serial number 18 onwards, these were 330SPs. Schweizer delivered one in 1999, 3 in 1998, 5 in 1997, 5 in 1996, 4 in 1995, 5 in 1994, and 5 in 1993.
Many of the 330s are used by US police forces, among them the San Antonio Police Department and the West Palm Beach Police Department.
Two are operated by Heli-Holland for basic and advanced training for the Dutch Navy. The Venezuelan Army bought three (TH-330s) for training. Rehnström Aero AB used one for powerline patrol in Scandinavia. Helic-Craft in Panama City took one in 1998 for charter work. In India, Hindustan Aeronautics formed a training school in 1999 and took one 330SP.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Enstrom 480
Robinson R44

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The SP version is the latest development of the Schweizer 330, aimed at law enforcement applications. It features

a larger main rotor hub
blades with increased area
a high-skid landing gear

The modifications can be retroffited to existing 330s. They result in significant improvements in performance like a 13 per cent increase in maximum cruise speed, 17 per cent more specific range, 10 per cent better controllability margins and less rotor roughness.

History (Geschichte)
Certification of the 330SP was achieved in the spring of 1997. Since then numerous in-service helicopters were upgraded, like those of Fuchs Helikopter (Switzerland) Helifly (Belgium) or Kawada Industries (Japan).
Schweizer announced development of the original 330 (designated Model 269D for FAA certification purposes) in mid-1987. It is based on the 300. First public flight presentation was on 14. June 1988, but FAA certification took four years and was not achieved until 14. September 1992. Under the leadership of Northrop Grumman, the 330 participated in the US Army training helicopter competition, but was rejected early on. Production deliveries commenced in the second quarter of 1993.

Last updated February 14, 2000

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