Biggest 300CBi Deal to Date
Schweizer Aircraft says it's signed
a deal with Helicopter Adventures Inc. (HAI) for the largest single
fleet order of 300CBi helicopters to date. Helicopter Adventures is
the largest commercial helicopter flight training school in the
world. The order is for twenty-three (23) 300CBi helicopters with
options for up to ten additional units.
Helicopter Adventures was the lead customer for the 300CB in
1995. Separate from the current contract, HAI has purchased 50
Schweizer helicopters over the past nine years. Helicopter
Adventures is also a Schweizer Sales and Service Center with flight
training operations in both Titusville (FL) and Concord (CA).
According to Paul Schweizer, president," We are extremely
pleased to be manufacturing a new fleet of CBi's for Helicopter
Adventures. In 1995 after rigorously evaluating the 300CB and
comparing it with other helicopters on the market, Helicopter
Adventures made the switch to a predominantly Schweizer fleet. Nine
years later they continue to be the largest commercial helicopter
training school in the world and are in the process of expanding
their operations even more. That speaks volumes for the message we
are hearing from around the world...that the 300CB/CBi is the best
flight training helicopter on the market."
Since taking delivery of the initial 300CB in 1995, Helicopter
Adventures has logged approximately 130,000 hours on their
300CB/CBi fleet with no injury accidents. When asked for his
opinion why the 300CBi is so well suited for flight training,
Patrick Corr, president of Helicopter Adventures stated, "The
stability of the 300CBi, its benign and predictable flight
characteristics, and its conventional controls make it a wonderful
tool for flight instruction. My company is four times larger than
it was when we bought the first 300CB in 1995 and I'm in no doubt
that our success is largely attributable to that decision. Our
customers really appreciate the fact that we invest in the best
training helicopters on the market today. It's an added bonus that
in the long run these aircraft actually work out to be the best
value for the operator too."
A consortium of banks is providing financing for the new fleet
of 300CBi helicopters. Matthew Parlier, vice president of Valley
Commercial Capital, coordinated the loan program with two
additional banks: Scope Aircraft Finance and Center Capital
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Webster Financial
Corporation.
The Schweizer 300CBi received FAA certification in 2002 as an
enhanced version of the company's 300CB. It features a number of
improvements including a fuel injected engine, overhaul/retirement
components with time/life limits no less than 4000 hours and
Schweizer's STAR system which includes a start-up overspeed
limiter, automatic rotor engagement and a low rotor RPM warning
device. Combined, these enhancements provide simplified operating
procedures, reduced operating costs and further safety
advancements. The standard equipped 300CBi includes these features
in addition to dual controls, comm. transceiver, transponder, blind
encoder, night-lights and many other standard features.