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. 

FMI: www.heli.com