View source for Schweizer S300

{{Short description|Helicopter model}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= Hughes/Schweizer 300 series <br> S-300/S300C
 |image=File:PH-DIB Schweizer 269C-300C at Hilversum Airport (ICAO EHHV), photo1.JPG
 |caption=A Schweizer 300C over [[Hilversum Airport]] 
 |type=Light [[utility aircraft|utility]] and [[trainer (aircraft)|trainer]] [[helicopter]] 
 |manufacturer= [[Hughes Helicopters]] <br> [[Schweizer Aircraft|Schweizer Aircraft Corporation]] <br> [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] <br> [[Schweizer RSG]] 
 |first_flight= 2 October 1956 (Hughes 269)
 |introduction= 1964
 |retired=
 |status= In production
 |primary_user=  
 |more_users=
 |produced= 1964–1983 (Hughes)
 |number_built= 2,800 (Hughes)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/Frtypen/FRSch300.htm |title=Schweizer 300C |work=Flug Revue Online |access-date=2009-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410164737/http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/Frtypen/FRSch300.htm |archive-date=2007-04-10 }}</ref>
 |unit cost= US$250,000 (300C in 2001)
 |developed_from = [[Hughes TH-55 Osage]]
 |variants= 
 |developed_into= [[Schweizer S-333|Schweizer 330/333]] <br> [[Sikorsky Firefly]]
}}

The '''Schweizer{{nbsp}}S300''' series (formerly the '''Hughes{{nbsp}}300''', '''Schweizer{{nbsp}}300''', and '''Sikorsky{{nbsp}}S-300''' series) is a family of light utility [[helicopter]]s originally produced by [[Hughes Helicopters]], as a development of the [[Hughes TH-55 Osage|Hughes 269]]. Later manufactured by [[Schweizer Aircraft]], and currently produced by Schweizer RSG, the basic design has been in production for over 60 years. The piston-powered S300{{nbsp}}series features single three-bladed rotors; these helicopters tend to be used as a cost-effective platform for training and agriculture.

==Development==

===Background===
In 1955, Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division (later Hughes Helicopters) carried out a market survey showing that there was a demand for a low-cost, lightweight, two-seat helicopter. The division began building the '''Model 269''' in September 1955. The prototype flew on 2 October 1956,<ref name="spruce-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sprucegoose.org/pdfs/planes/General/Hughes269Osage.pdf |title=Hughes Model 269A Osage |publisher=Evergreen Aviation Museum |format=.pdf |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625152115/http://www.sprucegoose.org/pdfs/planes/General/Hughes269Osage.pdf |archive-date=June 25, 2008 }}</ref> but it was not until 1960 that the decision was made to develop the helicopter for production.

On 9 April 1959, the 269 received certification from the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) and Hughes continued to concentrate on civil production. With some design changes, deliveries of the Model 269A version began in 1961. By mid-1963 about 20 aircraft were being produced per month, and by the spring of 1964 314 had been built. Hughes had successfully captured a large portion of the civilian helicopter market<ref name="spruce-1" /> with an aircraft that would prove popular in agriculture, police work and other duties.

===Model 300===
{{Anchor|Hughes S300|Hughes S300C|Schweizer-Hughes 300C|Schweizer 300C}}
{{Anchor|Hughes 269B|Schweizer-Hughes 269B|Schweizer 269B}}

[[File:Schweizer269C-G-BWAV.JPG|thumb|right|Schweizer 300C]]
[[File:Schweizer 300CB Quarter View.jpg|thumb|Schweizer 300CB on hangar dolly]]

In 1964, Hughes introduced the slightly larger three-seat '''Model 269B''' which it marketed as the '''Hughes 300'''. That same year, the Hughes 269 set an endurance record of 101 hours. To set the record, two pilots took turns piloting the aircraft and hovered in ground-effect for fueling. To ensure no cheating, eggs were attached to the bottom of the skid gear to register any record-ending landing.<ref name="spruce-1" />

The Hughes 300 was followed in 1969 by the improved '''Hughes 300C''' (sometimes '''Hughes 269C'''), which first flew on 6 March 1969 and received FAA certification in May 1970. This new model introduced a more powerful 190&nbsp;hp (140&nbsp;kW) Lycoming HIO-360-D1A engine and increased rotor diameter, giving a payload increase of 45%, plus overall performance improvements.<ref name="Frawley Military">{{cite book|last=Frawley|first=Gerard|title=The International Directiory of Military Aircraft|page=148|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd|year=2002|isbn=1-875671-55-2}}</ref> It was this model that [[Schweizer Aircraft|Schweizer]] began building under license from Hughes in 1983.<ref name="Frawley Civil">{{cite book|last=Frawley|first=Gerard|title=The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004|page=190|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd|year=2003|isbn=1-875671-58-7}}</ref>

In 1986, Schweizer acquired all rights to the helicopter from [[McDonnell Douglas]], which had purchased Hughes Helicopters in 1984. After Schweizer acquired the FAA Type Certificate, the helicopter was known for a short time as the '''Schweizer-Hughes 300C''' and then simply, the '''Schweizer 300C'''. The basic design remained unchanged over the years, despite Schweizer making over 250 minor improvements.

Schweizer was purchased on August 26, 2004, by Sikorsky Aircraft. The Schweizer 300 models fill a gap in the Sikorsky helicopter line, which is known for its medium and heavy utility and cargo helicopters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/military/attack/5347.html|title=Big Plans|author=McKenna, James T.|publisher=Aviation Today|work=Rotor&Wing|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2007-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907202234/http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/military/attack/5347.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2009, the 300C was rebranded as the '''Sikorsky S-300C'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sikorsky.com/vgn-ext-templating-SIK/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=00de6eb78fa78110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD&vgnextchannel=162f45d57ef68110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&pressvcmid=cb796928275af110VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD|title=Engineering the Future of Vertical Lift|website=Lockheed Martin|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-date=25 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725061259/http://www.sikorsky.com/vgn-ext-templating-SIK/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=00de6eb78fa78110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD&vgnextchannel=162f45d57ef68110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&pressvcmid=cb796928275af110VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018 the type certificate for the 269/300 product line was sold by Sikorsky to Schweizer RSG in Fort Worth Texas. The new company, affiliated with Rotorcraft Services Group, will support the existing fleet and will start to build new aircraft at Meacham Airport in Fort Worth, Texas. The management team includes industry and product veterans such as David Horton and Mike Iven.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2018/february/28/sikorsky-to-focus-on-larger-helos|title=Sikorsky to focus on larger helos|first=Mike|last=Collins|publisher=Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association|date=28 February 2018|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

===Derivatives===
Between Hughes and Schweizer, and including foreign-licensed production civil and military training aircraft, nearly 3,000 units of the Model 269/300 have been built and flown over the last 50 years. Schweizer continued to develop the Model 300 by adding a turbine and redesigning the body to create the [[Schweizer 330]]. Further developing the dynamic components to take greater advantage of the power of the turbine engine led to the development of the [[Schweizer S-333]].

In recent years the cockpit received an upgrade when an [[Supplemental type certificate|STC]] was developed for the installation of the [[Garmin]] G500H helicopter dual-screen electronic flight display, as well as the Mid-Continent MD302 Standby Attitude Indicator.<ref>{{Cite web|title = UND scores unique helicopter training opportunity {{!}} 03 {{!}} 2014 {{!}} Features {{!}} UND: University of North Dakota|url = http://und.edu/features/2014/03/helicopter-training.cfm|website = und.edu|access-date = 2016-02-11|first = The University of North Dakota. Juan Miguel|last = Pedraza}}</ref>

==Design==
The Hughes 269 was created with a [[Helicopter rotor#Fully articulated|fully articulated]] three-bladed main [[helicopter rotor|rotor]] wherein the blades advance to the right and a two-bladed [[tail rotor]] that would remain as distinctive characteristics of all its variants. It also has shock absorber-damped, skid-type landing gear. The flight controls are directly linked to the control surfaces of the helicopter so there are no [[hydraulics]] in the 269. There are generally two sets of controls, although this was optional on the civil 269A. For three-seat aircraft, the middle collective control stick is removable and a seat cushion can be put in its place for the third passenger. In the 300CB and 300CB''i'', the collective control can be repositioned to left-handed configuration for the Pilot In Command position (right seat).

==Variants==
{{Anchor|Schweitzer 300C|Hughes 300C|Schweitzer 269C|Hughes269C}}
[[File:Alphachuck krj.JPG|thumb|right|Schweizer 300C]]
[[File:Schweitzer 300CB Interior.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of Schweizer 300CB]]

;269C "Model 300C" :The 300C is powered by a 190&nbsp;hp (141&nbsp;kW) Lycoming HIO-360-D1A and has a larger diameter main rotor (26&nbsp;ft 10 in compared to 25&nbsp;ft 4 in). The larger rotor and engine gives it a 45% performance increase over previous 269-series models. Hughes and Schweizer both marketed the 269C as the '''Model 300C'''.
;300CQ :The '''Sky Knight''' is a purpose-built 300C for urban police helicopter patrols with a muffler and other noise attenuating materials and design changes to reduce the helicopter's noise signature by 75%.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
;300CB :The 300CB is the first pure production of the 300 by Schweizer and is powered by a Textron Lycoming HO-360-C1A, 180&nbsp;hp engine. The 300CB first flew on 28 May 1993, and was certified by the FAA in August 1995. The 300CB can be reconfigured from a two-seat cockpit to a three-seat configuration. While it is still suited for utility and special missions, this aircraft was designed for helicopter training.
;300CB''i'' :A fuel injected version of the 300CB that alleviates carburetor icing concerns in colder temperatures. The 300CB''i'' also includes overspeed protection and automatic rotor engagement during startup, as well as a low rotor RPM warning system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schweizer 300CBi Advantages: Training and Agriculture Simplified |url=https://schweizerrsg.com/announcement/schweizer-300cbi-advantages-training-and-agriculture-simplified/#:~:text=The%20S300CBi%20is,light-duty%20missions. |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Schweizerrsg |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Operators==
;{{ARG}}
*[[Argentine Coast Guard]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/613/ |title=Prefectura Naval Argentina 300C |newspaper=Helis.com |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> 
;{{BRA}}
*[[Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://odia.ig.com.br/portal/rio/superc%C3%A2meras-de-aeronaves-v%C3%A3o-patrulhar-as-ruas-do-rio-1.566609 |title=Supercâmeras de aeronaves vão patrulhar as ruas do Rio - Rio - O Dia Online |access-date=2013-03-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403013135/http://odia.ig.com.br/portal/rio/superc%C3%A2meras-de-aeronaves-v%C3%A3o-patrulhar-as-ruas-do-rio-1.566609 |archive-date=2013-04-03 }}</ref> 
;{{COL}}
*[[Colombian Air Force]]<ref name=" World 's  Air Forces 1987 pg 49 ">{{cite magazine| title = World 's Air Forces 1987: Colombia |magazine=Flight International |date=28 November 1987 |volume=132 |issue=4060 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202499.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018191011/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202499.html |archive-date=18 October 2015| access-date = 2013-02-21}}</ref> 
;{{ELS}}
*[[Air Force of El Salvador]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%202349.html |title= World 's Air Forces 2004 pg 56|publisher= flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202499.html | access-date = 2013-02-21}}</ref> 
;{{GRE}}
*[[Hellenic Army]] received 30 Breda-Nardi NH 300C helicopters from November 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Airscene: Military Affairs: Greece |magazine=[[Air International]] |date=February 1986 |volume=30 |issue=2 |page=54 |issn=0306-5634}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202509.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701050240/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202509.html |archive-date=1 July 2015|title= World's Air Forces 1987: Greece |page=59 |magazine=Flight International |date=28 November 1987 |volume=132 |issue=4060 |issn=0015-3710|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> 
;{{IDN}}
*[[Indonesian Army]]<ref>{{cite magazine |title= World's Air Forces 1987: Indonesia |magazine=Flight International |date=28 November 1987 |volume=132 |issue=4060 |page=64 |publisher= flightglobal.com |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202514.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306215954/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202514.html |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> 
;{{SEN}}
*[[Senegalese Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/schweizer-announces-new-deliveries/ |title= Schweizer announces new deliveries |publisher= verticalmag.com |access-date= 13 July 2022}}</ref> 
;{{THA}}
*[[Royal Thai Army]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202545.html|title= World 's Air Forces 1987 pg 95 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> 
;{{TUR}}
*[[Turkish Army]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2000/2000-1%20-%202001.html|title= World 's Air Forces 2000 pg 93 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref>
;{{USA}}
*[[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%202131.html|title=CIVIL HELICOPTER MARKET 1973|publisher=flightglobal.com|access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref>
*{{Flag|Pakistan}}                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*[[Pakistan Army]]

== Accidents and incidents ==
* 8 September 2017: A Schweizer 269C, [[aircraft registration]] number ''N204HF'', serial number ''0109'', [[2017 Medford, New Jersey helicopter crash|crashed]] during a sightseeing flight at [[Flying W Airport]] in [[Medford, New Jersey]], United States, killing the pilot along with guitarist and singer [[Montgomery Gentry#Troy Gentry|Troy Gentry]] of the popular American [[country music]] band [[Montgomery Gentry]], who were scheduled to perform at a resort at the airport later that day.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/arts/music/troy-gentry-dead-country-montgomery-gentry.html?mcubz=0 |title=Troy Gentry of the Country Music Duo Montgomery Gentry Dies at 50 |first=Christopher |last=Mele |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]  |date=8 September 2017 |access-date=29 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/burlington/index.ssf/2017/09/troy_gentry_of_country_duo_montgomery_gentry_1_of.html |title=Troy Gentry of country music duo Montgomery Gentry killed in helicopter crash in N.J. |first=Rebecca |last=Everett |work=[[NJ.com]] |date=8 September 2017 |access-date=29 November 2018 }}</ref> The crash was attributed to the pilot's loss of control during a power-off [[autorotation]] landing attempt; a contributing factor was failure of the throttle control tie-rod assembly caused by improper replacement of the throttle cable.<ref>{{cite report |date=5 November 2018 |title=Aviation Accident Final Report ERA17FA317 |url=https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20170908X43517&AKey=1&RType=Final&IType=FA |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=28 November 2018 }}</ref>

==Specifications (Schweizer 300C)==

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89{{sfn|Taylor|1988|pp=472–473}}
|prime units?=kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= 1 pilot
|capacity= 2 passengers / {{convert|900|lb|kg|abbr=on}} payload on external sling
|length ft=30
|length in=10
|length note=
|width ft=<!-- if applicable -->
|width in=<!-- if applicable -->
|width note=
|height ft=8
|height in=8+5/8
|height sigfig=3
|empty weight lb=1046
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=2050
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Textron Lycoming HIO-360-D1A]]
|eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine
|eng1 hp=190
|eng1 shp=
|eng1 note=(derated from {{convert|225|hp|kW|abbr=on}})

|rot number=1
|rot dia ft=26
|rot dia in=10
|rot area sqft=565.5
|rot area note=<br>
*'''Blade section:''' - [[NACA airfoil|NACA 0015]]
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kts=82
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kts=67
|cruise speed note=(for maximum range, at {{convert|4000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|never exceed speed kts=91
|never exceed speed note=
|range nmi=194
|range note=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=3 h 24 min
|ceiling ft=10200
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=750
|climb rate note=at sea level
|time to altitude=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Hughes TH-55 Osage]]
* [[Sikorsky Firefly]]
* [[Schweizer S333|Schweizer 330 and S333]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Bell 47]]
* [[Enstrom F-28]]
* [[Guimbal Cabri G2]]
* [[Hiller OH-23 Raven]]
* [[Robinson R22]]
|lists=
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Cite web |year=2022 |title=World Air Force 2022 |url=https://www.https/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/http://https/ |archive-date=19 August 2013 |access-date=2 August 2022 |publisher=Flightglobal Insight}}
* [http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/82216eb84dd9bea586257106006cbddb/$FILE/4H12.pdf FAA Type Certificate 4H12] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125015721/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/82216eb84dd9bea586257106006cbddb/$FILE/4H12.pdf |date=2017-01-25 }}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite magazine|last=Elliot|first=Bryn|title=Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]]|date=March–April 1997|issue=68|pages=46–51 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Elliott|first1=Bryn|title=On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two|journal=Air Enthusiast|date=May–June 1999|issue=81|pages=64–69 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Hatch |first=Paul F. |title= World's Air Forces 1987  |magazine=[[Flight International]] |date=28 November 1987 |volume=132 |issue=4060 |pages=36–106|issn=0015-3710}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89 |year=1988 |location=Coulsdon, UK |publisher=Jane's Defence Data |isbn=0-7106-0867-5}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://schweizerrsg.com|Schweizer RSG official website}}
* [https://schweizerrsg.com/new-helicopter/schweizer-300c/ Schweizer 300C]  
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070628110824/http://www.sacusa.com/products/300cbimain.asp Schweizer 300CBi pages on SACusa.com]
* [https://schweizerrsg.com/new-helicopter/schweizer-333/ Schweizer S333]

{{Hughes aircraft}}
{{Schweizer aircraft}}
{{Sikorsky Aircraft}}

[[Category:1960s United States helicopters]]
[[Category:1960s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Sikorsky aircraft|S-300]]
[[Category:Schweizer aircraft|S-300]]
[[Category:Hughes aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1956]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with skid landing gear]]