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The Schweizer 269D Model 333 is a four-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single derated 420hp
Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft engine. The Model 333 is an evolution of the earlier Model 330SP design featuring modifications
to the main rotor sytem. The basic of the Schweizer 269D Model 333 goes back to the Hughes 269 helicopter. The first of two prototypes
of the two-seat Hughes Model 269 helicopter flew first in October 1956, only 13 months after commencement of design
work. The basic design sparked US Army interest to order 5, designated
YHO-2-HU, for evaluation. As a result Hughes won a US Army contract for
a light helicopter primary trainer and 792 were built as the TH55A
Osage. Deliveries of the commercial Model 269A, designated Hughes 200,
started in 1961. The three-seat Model 269B, designated Hughes 300, flew
first in 1964. In 1969, the 300 was followed by the improved Model 269C,
designated Hughes 300C. Since 1983 Schweizer has built the 269C/300C,
initially under licence for Hughes. Schweizer Aircraft Corp. acquired
all rights to the helicopter in 1986. To join in the 1990 U.S.Army NTH
competition for the TH-55 replacement, Schweizer Aircraft Co. developed
the 269D out of the 269 basic design. The 269D uses the 269 airframe,
has an enlarged cabin and is powered by an Allison 250 turboshaft
engine. Schweizer markets the 269D as Model 330. An evolutionary
development with upgraded dynamic systems components, new-technology
rotor blades with cambered airfoil and larger diameter is the Model 333.
The Schweizer 333 is featuring more gross weight, more useful load, more
speed and more hover performance. On 28 September 2000, Schweizer
achieved FAA-certification for the Model 333. In 2005, Schweizer Aircraft Corp. became a
wholly owned Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. subsidiary. In 2009, Sikorsky Aircraft announced the creation of Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a
business unit made up of the manufacturer’s commercial products, including the S-76, S-92 and H-92 platforms, as well as the Schweizer
helicopter line. As part of the rebranding of the commercial products, the S-300C, S-300CBi, S-333 and S-434 helicopters no longer retained
the Schweizer name. Schweizer Model 333 helicopters manufactured after February 2009, would be known as Sikorsky S-333 helicopters. For a while,
it appeared that the acquisition would revitalize the series. Instead, the S-333 more or less dropped off the map, particularly after Sikorsky
moved the production of the S-333 from the original Schweizer manufacturing plant in Elmira, N.Y. to a S-333 production line at Sikorsky’s facilities
in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, also home to the company’s S-92 and S-76 production lines. On 26 September 2011, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation became
the holder of the type certificate for the 269A; 269A-1; 269B; 269C; 269C-1 and 269D models. In 2014, Cherokee Nation Industries was provided the
frame assembly for the S-333 cockpit, as well as manufacturing the aircraft’s full instrument panel. Once completed, the units were integrated into
final assembly at Sikorsky. By the end of 2014, Sikorsky stopped taking orders for either the S300 or S333 and after the single-engine productionline
was closed, final assembly was outsourced to Summit Aviation. The S-434 production line was officially closed after the Saudi Ministry of Defense bought
and then returned several of the four-bladed turboshaft helicopters because they were wearing out before the end of their estimated service lives. On
6 November 2015, Lockheed Martin completed its $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft, replacing United Technologies as the American helicopter
maker’s parent company. On 24 January 2018, Sikorsky announced that it had sold its light product line, including the S-300, to Schweizer RSG, a new
company affiliated with Rotorcraft Services Group in Fort Worth, Texas, bringing an end to years of uncertainty as to the type’s future with the
manufacturing giant. Next to this, the company had already established a partnership with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which
will producing the S-300 under license with approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. On 25 January 2018, Schweizer RSG LLC became
the holder of the type certificate for the 269A; 269A-1; 269B; 269C; 269C-1 and 269D models. |
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The 2004-built Schweizer 269D Model 333 s/n 0052A was tested with the Schweizer Aircraft Corp. test-registration N86G.
On 6 June 2005, the Schweizer 269D was registered G-TAMB in the UK with Total Air Management Services Ltd (TAMS) at
Sheffield City Airport. Schweizer 269D G-TAMB as one of five Model 333s that entered service with TAMS, after they
won a pipeline survey contract with Transco, part of National Grid. After TAMS was bought by the Longmint Group, the owner of five UK aviation companies,
TAMS was effectively merged into Fast Helicopters, another of the subsidiaries, and in January 2009 the Schweizer 333 fleet moved to Shoreham.
On 14 February 2011, Schweizer 269D G-TAMB was registered with Alan Mann Aviation Group, Shoreham. On 3 May 2011, after the helicopter was sold to Fuchs Helicopter, Schindellegi,
it departed Shoreham Airport by road on its way to Switzerland. On 16 May 2011, registration G-TAMB was cancelled as exported to another
country. On 25 May 2011, the Schweizer 269D/333 was registered HB-ZMN in Swiss with Robert Fuchs AG. On 19 August 2013,
registration HB-ZMN was cancelled and the aircraft was stored. In March 2015, after the Schweizer 269D/333 was sold to Heli Holland,
the helicopter was transported by road to Emmer-Compascuum in the Netherlands. In 2015, registration SP-SSK was reserved in Poland but
not taken up. On 29 March 2016, the helicopter was registered as PH-HHX with Heli Holland, Emmer-Compascuum. On 18 November 2016,
registration PH-HHX was cancelled as exported to Poland and registered SP-SSL. Schweizer 333 PH-HHX was seen at the Heli Holland
heliport near Emmen after heavy maintenance by Heli Holland Technics. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
