Schweizer Aircraft has received its largest single fleet order, with Helicopter Adventures (HAI) signing a contract for 23 Model 300CBi training helicopters and options for up to 10 more. HAI is the world's largest commercial helicopter flight school, with operations in Concord, California and Titusville, Florida.
The piston-single helicopters on firm order will be delivered over a year, and Schweizer is boosting production to one aircraft a week. The Elmira, New York-based company has already pushed production of its Model 333 single-turbine light helicopter up to one a month, and expects to deliver more than 60 aircraft this year - up from 37 last year.
HAI was lead customer for the Model 300CB in 1995 and, before its latest order, had purchased 50 Schweizer helicopters in the past nine years. The new fuel-injected 300CBis will be used both for expansion and to replace the school's older, carburettor-equipped 300CBs. The order is being financed by a consortium of banks co-ordinated by new Jersey-based Valley Commercial Capital.
Source: Flight International
