Schweizer 330

The Schweizer 330 is a light, two‑seat helicopter originally developed in the early 1970s by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation of Elmira, New York. Designed as a civilian trainer and utility platform, the 330 evolved from the successful Schweizer 300 series, incorporating a more powerful Lycoming or Franklin turbine engine, a larger cabin, and improved rotor system that increased lift and endurance. First flown in 1978, the prototype demonstrated the benefits of a turbine‑powered rotorcraft for low‑cost flight training, aerial photography, and law‑enforcement observation. Production continued through the 1980s and early 1990s, with over 500 units delivered worldwide. Key features include a fully articulated three‑blade main rotor, a simple skid landing gear, dual controls, and a modular airframe that permits quick conversion between passenger, cargo, and medical‑evacuation configurations. The 330’s reliability, low operating expenses, and ease of maintenance earned it a reputation as a workhorse in general aviation and governmental fleets. Its impact on the market helped popularize turbine‑powered training helicopters, influencing later designs such as the Sikorsky S‑300 and the modern Schweizer S‑333, and solidifying Schweizer’s legacy in light‑helicopter innovation today.

Schweizer Aircraft Corporation

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