Schweizer Model 333

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 Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20W turboshaft, derated
Power (Leistung): 1 x 176 kW (253 shp) at take off, or 164 kW (232 shp) maximum continuous
Fuel consumption (Kraftstoffverbrauch): 80,3 l/hour at typical cruise, 70,8 l/hour at maximum endurance
Flyover noise (Geräuschniveau im Überflug): 81.5 dB

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 6,82 m
Length overall, rotor turning (Länge über drehenden Rotor): 9,51 m
Height (Höhe): 3,34 m
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 1,72 m
Width over skids (Breite über die Landekufen): 1,92 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 8,39 m
Tail-rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,30 m
Main rotor disk (Hauptrotorkreisfläche): 54,26 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 567
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 590 kg
Standard fuel (Kraftstoff): 224 kg (73 gal)
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 1157 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (Vne): 204 km/h at 4000 ft
Typical cruise speed (typische Reisegeschwindigkeit): 185 km/h at max. take-off weight
Operational ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 3900 m (13000 ft)
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 1555 m (5100 ft)
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 2650 m or 3625 m at reduced weight
Maximum range (max. Reichweite): 561 km at 2000 ft, standard day, no reserves
Max. endurance (Einsatzdauer): 3.9 hours, no reserves at 2000 ft, standard day

Costs (Kosten)
The 333 sold at 607500 US-Dollars at the beginning of 2001. This is up from 595 000 US-Dollars at the beginning of 2000.
Esitmated direct operational costs of the 333 were put at 132,8 US-Dollars per hour at the beginning of 2001. This includes fuel at 1,5 Dollars/hour.

Customers (Kunden)
A total of six 333 were delivered in 2000.
San Antonio Police Department is the lead customer and will upgrade two Model 330SPs to the new standard. Also one of the first 333 was handed over to a Texas businessman, a game reserve in Botswana, Fuchs Helicopter of Switzerland and Houston Police Department.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Bell 206B-3 JetRanger
Enstrom 480B
MD Helicopters MD500E
Robinson R44

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Schweizer 333 is an evolutionary development of the 330SP, featuring more gross weight, more useful load, more speed and moe hover performance, thanks to
* upgraded dynamic systems components
* new-technology rotor blades with cambered airfoil and larger diameter
Also, the high-stance landing gear is now standard. Schweizer claims the lowest operating costs of any turbine helicopter and very low noise levels.
A kit to upgrade Model 330 and 330SP to Model 333 standard was made available from September 2000. The 333s rotor system is also utilized on the US Navy's VTUAV vehicle, where Northrop Grumman acts as the prime contractor.

History (Geschichte)
Development of the components of the Model 333 took about two years. The 333 was officially unveiled by Schweizer at he Heli-Expo in Las Vegas on 24 January 2000.
FAA-certification was achieved on 28 September 2000, about six months later than expected.

Last updated 14. February 2000

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