Hughes 269/Schweizer 300 series

[500e]

Auto engage system
Engine Ground Check
At the end of Engine Ground Check (PFM Para. 4-7) perform functional
check on main rotor low speed warning indicator as follows:
Verify Low Rotor Warning Light is "Steady On" for all RPM less than
390 Main rotor RPM. Horn should be silent, while on ground.
Verify Low Rotor Warning Light is "Flashing ON" for all RPM less
than 2530 engine RPM. Horn should be silent, while on ground.
Push horn disable momentary push button when light is "ON", to test
horn (only when weight on skids).
Verify that warning light is extinguished above 2530 engine RPM.

[birrddog]

It's been some time when did the low RPM horn get installed in the 300 line?

It's that big bell in your head, next to the one for high rpm, that goes off every time you hear the rpm change in your ears!! ;)

Just changed from David Clarkes to Bose A20 - listening to the rpm takes a flight or three to get used to after the headset change with ANR; that being said I think the Bose makes it easier to hear.

[hillberg]

:DThat's what I thought, Enstroms have an over boost light, Robies,Bell turbines,Hughes turbines & Europutters have the horns ,but the Bell 47,Hillers, Brantleys,and others not,What ever.:{ Never needed one, (The Ears have it):ok:

[ironranger]

Does anyone have a flight manual supplement for the 269c cargo racks. It would be greatly appreciated

ironranger

[FLY 7]

Actually, that would interest me as well as I recently bought a pair s/h.

[Spunk]

Anybody else having problems with the supply for spare parts at Sikorsky/HSI?

[baby spanner]

Sikorsky bought Schweizer for the UAVs they have no interest in the 300s therefore everyone is having problems gettings parts

[Hughes500]

Quoted 246 days for a horizontal stab, 18 months for a main rotor drive shaft, no thats wrong they couldnt quote for a drive shaft as they have no one making them. Absolute joke. What do you need i have $ 600k worth of spares in the hanger

[Spunk]

18 months for a main rotor drive shaft, no thats wrong they couldnt quote for a drive shaft as they have no one making them

<=== I'm with you on that one.:ugh:

[FairWeatherFlyer]

Spot the Hughes,

Frank Sinatra Stepping out of His Helicopter With a Whiskey Glass in Hand - Lomography (http://www.lomography.com/magazine/lifestyle/2011/09/16/frank-sinatra-stepping-out-of-his-helicopter-with-a-whiskey-glass-in-hand)

from a current exhibition,

Yul Brynner: A Photographic Journey (http://yulbrynnerphotographer.com/pages/london-exhibition/)

http://cloud.lomography.com/576/806/e2/8cf092ed2e7c57adbd2d6f6693c038b9dfbef0.jpg

First I thought this is just a great photo of – well – Frank Sinatra stepping out of his helicopter with a whiskey glass in hand. But while looking for the source of the photo I found out it's been taken by fellow actor Yul Brynner.

[Hairyplane]

Hi all,

Thinking of cashing my R44 in ( June 2008/ 330hr Raven 2, VAT Paid, if anybody's interested).

Had a go in a 1965 Hughes 300 the other day. I liked it!

Sloooow by Robinson standards of course but rather than give up rotary entirely to concentrate on my vintage fixed-wing passion I could be tempted to go for a 'vintage' Hughes 300.

Seem cheap when compared to an R22 ( which I don't fancy) and with no calender-life items AFAIAA.

All poop appreciated on this type.

ATB

HP

[nigelh]

I used to fly a 1969 300 .....sadly it chopped itself to pieces around me one day .......having said that it is , if well maintained , a good helicopter . Just bear in mind that the A had the high speed tail rotor which did not like flying in rain so not so good for the UK .

[FLY 7]

I really like the H/S 300s (aka 269) - especially the 300'C', which I'd recommend.

When I first considered learning to fly helicopters, I did a lot of research. I tried all the various options, inc turbines, but it was the 300'C' that I most enjoyed, backed up by lots of professional advice

In fact, liked it so much that I eventually bought one to learn on. Later went Turbine but kept the 300'C' for another year. Regretted selling it, so bought another, which is currently under-going a full refurb.

It's a proper helicopter, designed and engineered for purpose with proper controls, rotorhead, lots of power and safety and fantastic fun to fly. Not fast and not much luggage space (although I bought cargo racks) but spacious inside.

Good ones aren't cheap, and a new S.300'C' is similar price to a new R44, and they are quite rare in the UK. More popular in hotter/higher climates where they need the performance.

Originally designed by Hughes for the US Army (30,000 pilots were trained on the TH-55s, over 3,000,000 hrs) then taken over by Schweizer who are now owned by Sikorsky.

My son went solo in a 1974 '300C' (and a 480B) last week, on his 16th birthday, here > Youngest First Helicopter Solo Flights - Ollie Chadwick - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io_abZGX5Ik&feature=youtu.be)

Definitely recommended - the 'Mini-Cooper' of helicopters. Ask Dennis Kenyon http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

[parasite drag]

Just get yerself a Rotorway Hairy :eek::eek::eek:

[Devil 49]

Never flown any Robinson products, but learned and taught in the TH-55 and Hughes 269 B/C, even a little time in a 269A. Get the 'big tail rotor', Elastomeric dampers and dual tanks. I understand there are expensive differences in MR blades.
Kinda tinkery airframes compared to present state of the art stuff. Ground resonance was more common on the Army fleet than the civvie side IMHO, but they were flown hard and often, by students, so keeping them ship-shape and Bristol fashion wasn't possible. Also autorotation nose tuck was infamous, but preventable with yaw trim.
The TH-55 was the slowest with very light bubble glazing that would buckle at 'high speed', 75-80 knots. Never saw that in a civilian model.
I am under the impression that the more modern CBi is cost competitive with the R22...

[Hughes500]

HP

Which one are you looking at G-BPPY a 269B ? If so I rebuilt her some years ago. Have fun they are cracking machines, but a bit slow !! My c models are hard pushed to do more than 80 kts

[Hairyplane]

My Storch does 65kts flat out (and burns over a litre a minute!) so I'm used to getting the knitting out on a cross country.

All for fun, no rush to get anywhere.

I'm warming up on the Hughes but not actively looking, I need to offload the 44 first.

Rotorway? Er......no.....don't fancy one.

Thanks for the replies guys, keep em coming.

HP

[parasite drag]

"Rotorway? Er......no.....don't fancy one"..

I know I know, they're sh1t aren't they :ok:

[chopperchappie]

I have been flying an R44 most of last year and when I went to do my H300 LPC I had forgot how much fun it is to fly by comparison. It's a bit like the difference between a Mondeo and a Mini. Obviously you wouldn't want to put your 96 year old grannie in the back of a mini, so horses for courses.

Everyone talks about the difference in speed and comfort to an R44 but compared to an R22 from a practical perspective - there's not that much in it.
I can happily fly at 85Kts without it feeling uncomfortable. If you trade off the huge fuel tanks and extra payload I think they even out a bit more and then the three bladed rotor with a decent bit of inertia helps as well.

Haven't had any reliability issues, but note that at certain points in the lifecycle there are some lumpy items to refurb/replace. The MRGB needs overhaul at 3000 (4000 on a Cb/Cbi) and replacement at 6/8K respectively. Used bits are often available and you can get some deals on new bits. Blades are difficult to source used and there has been some issues around getting hold of sensibly priced mast assemblies.

One of the biggest issues I had was the early models don't have much dashboard - so if you want to use for training it's difficult to fit AI DI VSI etc.

Like FLY7 said - I'd go for a 300C over a 300Cbi and a Cbi over a Cb.

CC

[Ag-Rotor]

Find yourself a 269B and you will have the best little helicopter ever made.

[206Fan]

Looking for a good detailed book on the 300. Anybody recommend this one?

Schweizer 300CB/CBi Information Manual, Jeppesen, 10001463, JS312501, Aircraft Technical Book Company, Aviation Books and Video Resources (http://www.actechbooks.com/products/act883/)

Dave

[tony 1969]

Not much in that book that isnt in the Flight manual (RFM probably the best source anyway)

This may help Schweizer 300 CBi PPL(H) Study Guide (http://www.transair.co.uk/sp+Helicopter-Flight-Training-Schweizer-300-CBi-PPLH-Study-Guide+2634)
but it does cover the PPL syllabus as well so may not?

[couldbeworse]

If anyone's interested i know the location of a 700 hr MR driveshaft for sale.

[Hughes300b]

I agree Hughes 300B a great little helicopter a pleasure to fly it may not be fast but you get to see alot more I cruise at 80mph in mine

[md 600 driver]

Nigel h
Was that your 300 at sherburn years ago
Steve

[nigelh]

No , never owned one . Taught in them for a short while then bought the Bell 47 . Great machine if properly maintained ...( guess that really goes for ALL helicopters...) .

[rotornut]

I trained on a C and then bought a B. The B, among other things, lacked the tail rotor authority of the C but could lift 3 people at a moderate density altitude. Both models are a bit slow - I remember flying parallel to a freeway in a moderate headwind and seeing the cars go faster than the little B. Having said all that, I still love the little beasts and I would buy another if I could afford it.

[342 driver]

YEP. We used to say the 269 was a "REAL HELICOPTER"
When I was learning, I took 3 hours in a R22B and was about to quit when I by chance, took an hour in a 269C. What a difference. I could actually fly the bird.
So the next week went out an bought a 269B and then a 269C. Flew the 269C from North Carolina to Van Nuys. What a great trip. Made a few Gas Station fuel stops but other than that, was great.
Eventually graduated to the 369C and D. But the transition was nothing. Like driving a 2 door then a 4 door.
Have been "forced" over the years to fly R44s but not by choice.
Just be careful if you have dampeners. We lost a beautiful 269C model because the mechanic did a bad overhaul of the dampeners. So go with the elastomeric dampeners to be safe.
Used to shoot a lot of video for news stations until we got the 206 and then the AS350, but flew a 300CBI for my BFR and it was like being back on my favourite mount.

[Flying Binghi]

via FLY7; Originally designed by Hughes... ...then taken over by Schweizer who are now owned by Sikorsky.


Sikorsky still making them ? Last i heard they had closed the line for a move...:confused:





.

[Hughes500]

FB

Stopping the 300cbi but keeping the 300c line going. However spares support can be best described as a joke. I went aog for dampers but was told about 6 months, couldnt even give a lead time on a main rotor drive shaft.
Not difficult to keep lifed items on a shelf is it ?:(

[FLY 7]

It's my understanding that new Cbi production will cease, but 300'C' production will continue - but for how long? There have been problems with parts supply that Sikorsky claim to be addressing.

Spotted a useful new handbook - 'A Pilot's Guide to the Schweizer 300 C'

Here - Amazon.com: A Pilot's Guide to the Schweizer 300C: Understanding the 300C Rotorcraft Flight Manual (9781450545457): Gregory Quast: Books#_

[rotornut]

300 parts?

Try this outfit: AOG Heliservices (http://www.aogheliservices.com/search.html)

When we owned our B we never had a problem getting parts from them.

[Spunk]

I went aog for dampers but was told about 6 months, couldnt even give a lead time on a main rotor drive shaft.

Welcome to the club, join the happy rest of us.:(

Our aircraft was down for 6 months waiting for a new driveshaft kit.

[500e]

How can a supposed world class Co. screw up so badly. (answers on a post card please)
Still if they cant get multi million £ machines to work to customers specifications what hope for the little people trying to make a living.
Its a Circus in SK light helicopter division :{

[500 Fan]

Didn't Sikorsky acquire Schweizer more for the UAV-associated business that came with the company (Firescout) than for the S300 line of aircraft? That might explain why Sikorsky are not supporting the S300 properly.

500 Fan.

[Darren999]

They are going to be put together in Sikorsky in Coatesville PA. They aren't that happy about it either. I have a feeling this will be sold to China soon..
I can get parts from suppliers ok, but Sikorsky customer service is dreadful!!

[Sir Korsky]

Well when you work to a system that requires parts to be delivered just before they're needed on the production line and the truck fails to show, I guess it's coffee time again.

[helispeediii]

its sad that sikorski, took over the 300 product , there customer support has always been sub standard, a good opitunity for some one as the 300 still has a place in the training market ,i have flown and owned many 269 b&c over the years, hughes500 is right they are in a different league to the r22 which is ok for its purpose , i have also owned r22 s ,so i can compare quite accurately, let the tirade continue ,its a bit like john ruskin quoted , there is hardly anything in this world that some man cant make worse and sell cheaper, and those that consider price only are this mans legal prey helispeediii

[Phoinix]

I don't quite understand the logic behind the tail surfaces on this bird. What is the story behind it (departing from ordinary vertical surfaces of other birds)?

[Phoinix]

Sooooo, nobody understands this birds tail surfaces layout? Why the positive angle on semi-horizontal stabiliser?

[topik22]

Hello Everyone,
My friend is thinking about buing helicopter for private use and from time to time training (dry lease to FTO). We are thinking about Schweizer 300 C/CB/CBI but I have heard about spare parts problem.
Has anyone got the same conclusion that Sikorsky has finished delivery of new parts for 300 ????
Any places to get spare parts to Schweizer 300?
Does Schwezier 300 is "bad road" in helicopter use???
Many thanks for sugesstions.
Greets
Jack

[Hughes500]

You can get most parts, not great news that Sikorsky purchased the line. I have about $ 800k's worth of spares from gearbox's to blades so could help you out

[topik22]

thank You for reply.

[Darren999]

Spoke with Kirk Norththrop today at Sikorsky. I expressed concern on the lack of rotor blades and tail rotor shafts available. I said 200 days lead time on blades isn't really acceptable. So, they are having blades processed now, he said, with shorter lead times, also tail rotor drive shafts shall be coming out soon.
I get some of my parts from Air Flite in Oklahoma these people will have the parts soon, So, maybe worth a call and ordering items. Also, if you have any time lifed items coming due eg Tail rotor drive shafts order them early! He said any AOG will be placed at the top of the queue.....

Contact number Kirk 1 203-416-4328 customer services contact for the S300 at Sikorsky
Air Flite 1 405-275-4388

If I can help anyone please just drop me a line..

[IFMU]

It is Curt, not Kirk. He used to be my next door neighbor.
Bryan

[minimo]

Hi all,

is there any solution to provide an external basket or a litter which could be used as an external basket for a H300C with floats? will try to post a picture of an Argentina H300C fitted with them.
Exactly like this one:
http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/613/

Any help greatly appreciated!

[Gustosomerset]

Minimo. Your post reminded me that I have a pair of these. They're fairly large, lockable side boxes for a C300 that were apparently developed by CSE Aviation of Oxford some years ago. They're larger than the normal C300 side baskets but appear to attach in the same way. Whether or not they'll fit as well as floats, I'm not sure. If you're interested, let me know.
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah4/Gustosomerset/IMG_1858_zpsmopzi4qh.jpg

[chopper2004]

Think it was 5 decades ago according to Tim Mason's book The Cold War Years, Flight Testing at Boscombe Down 1945-1975, , that a couple of AAC pilots evaluated the 269

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T1/images/I/51KSZT0FV4L._SX341_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Cannot remember if it was to se eif the AAC could use a new training or observation helo...

cheers

[chopper2004]

According to Paul Beaver's Modern Military Helicopter handbook, on the Schweizer 300, that during the Hannover Air Show 1986, Schweizer proposed a TH300C for the Heeresflieger training requirement to replace the Alouette II. It would be powered by a Porsche engine , has anyone got any more info on this proposal please?

cheers

[wrench1]

Schweizer was also recently issued a new FAA production certificate. Hopefully this will be the start of good things to come.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-03-07/faa-awards-schweizer-pc-s300c-s300cbi-helos

[chopper2004]

It was nice to Schweizer back in the marketplace as I wandered over to their booth at the show in Atlanta over a fortnight ago and seem to be doing ok since re opening the product line the other year in Texas. Here are my photos of their A300C which was trucked into the show.


https://scontent-lcy1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/330404817_900256454526018_2557896030007709913_n.jpg?stp=cp6_ dst-jpg&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=DabLFTfsjvoAX_NiXVi&_nc_ht=scontent-lcy1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDOuE6voFvwQxP4htyUrjBk2wiFKe7ntUQDgUYsrDjb4Q&oe=64284136


https://scontent-lcy1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/334974874_573179114755653_5812446071729369768_n.jpg?stp=cp6_ dst-jpg&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=YecOa_x-qv8AX_5YgYG&_nc_ht=scontent-lcy1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBYfPT5Z7XNP-I4GeEpt4fbKsN8HzEZbN_EsuraMHm_bg&oe=64286991
https://scontent-lcy1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/334954249_6002154926529857_4878027367243995633_n.jpg?stp=cp6 _dst-jpg&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=QcixausRjL8AX9XCHUB&_nc_ht=scontent-lcy1-1.xx&oh=00_AfAq7PkwAirubXepdDnGrh3pGDfdz3M8SKIwC5m5Q41yYg&oe=6427530C
https://scontent-lcy1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/338028901_6562670957094771_5849855010001253271_n.jpg?stp=cp6 _dst-jpg&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=QSwX_9SWt7kAX-ZF_Fg&_nc_ht=scontent-lcy1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCiVe28-fAymKnj7JWjq53zD6dGDYYbftKEBy_sJJ2lEA&oe=64278571
cheers

[Hughes500]

Love the product, without doubt the best training helicopter, but the price of a new one makes the eyes water, more than a G2 , almost all students I have shown pix of G2 compared to 300C all would but the G2 on looks, speed and baggage compartment ! As for spares prices RSG have joined with the rest of the industry as to whom can rip the customer off the most ! I really hope it works for them, as i have 4 of them

[chopper2004]

SASless did you train on the Mattel Messerchmidt at Fort Rucker?? Out of interest up to the point when the Th-55 Osage variant was retired, wonder how many of our Army Air Corps exchange folk at Fort Rucker flew , instructed on it during the 70s/80s?

Also re the delivery the other day of the first Airbus H135 to the Spanish AIr Force training school, I remember it was 3 decades ago that they operated the S300 for primary flight training across their armed forces with the Sikorsky S-76 for advance multi engine training.

Hellenic Army Aviation and Turkish Land Forces also use/used the TH300 as i recall...

cheers

[Wilfred07]

Hi everyone! Flying the AW139 now, but soon back on the 269C again. Just for fun :)

I got the paper manual, but does someone have the pdf version of the 269C? Would be very helpful as I’m travelling a lot and have time to study. Many thanks in advance!

[SquirrelDev]

Hello,
You can download the FAA flight manual directly on Schweizer's website. I would be happy to provide a link, but I am not yet allowed to.
So on schweizerrsg dot com, go to publications / flight manuals in the menu. Scroll down to see the downloads and type "flight" in the search field. You should find it right away.

Mod note:
https://schweizerrsg.com/flight-manuals/
There is a cost for the pdf download.
T28B

[SquirrelDev]

Thanks for adding the link T28B.
There is no cost to download the pdf, just scroll down until you see some grey background: the flight manuals and supplements are all there :)

[admikar]

Ture. You just need to change how many entires shows up and flight manula is right there for download.