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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 will no longer retain the Schweizer name. Schweizer Model 333 helicopters
manufactured after February 2009, will be known as Sikorsky S-333 helicopters. |
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The 2001-built Schweizer 269D c/n 0034A was registered N2061D with Schweizer Aircraft Co., Elmira (NY), USA, and delivered to WKS LLC, Kimberly (ID).
On 3 May 2001, the N2061D was substantial damaged in an accident at Nampa Municipal Airport, Nampa (ID), USA. The airframe was rebuilt and re-entered service.
On 30 August 2007, when registered with D.Beeler, Atlanta (GA), the registration N2061D was cancelled as exported to Poland. The airframe was shipped to the
maintenance facilities of Heli Holland Technics BV in Emmercompascuum, the Netherlands. On 9 November 2007, the Schweizer 333 was registered PH-ECP with
Heli Holland BV and the next day the PH-ECP delivered to Poland. Schweizer 269D Model 333 PH-ECP was photographed when it left the Heli-Holland heliport
near Emmen in the early morning of 10 November 2007. The registration PH-ECP was cancelled on 3 December and the helicopter was registered SP-KSX in Poland
with SG Equipment Leasing Polska (Multi HEKK) on 7 December 2007. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
