Pros: Schweizer S300CBI:
The Schweizer S300CBI has received may improvements prior to its current production version with Schweizer RSG, and has received upgrades over time, previously being made by other manufacturers. Therefore, it is referred by various titles such as the Hughes 300, Schweizer 300 and Sikorsky S- 300 and currently Schweizer S300. Whichever build variant you fly, this machine is the machine for student training around the world. The US military ordered a large amount of the TH-55A Osage versions of theses machines as basic trainers and many more have been sold to other governments, civil organisations, and individuals worldwide.
The cabin is large, with good ergonomics and there are no seat weight limits. The C model is designed to carry 3 people and is a factory option in the CBI.
The S300CBI is fitted with a fully articulated rotor head which has a reasonable inertia for a light helicopter and is easy to manage autorotation. There are no issues with low G manoeuvres unlike in two bladed types, therefore they are much safer to operate in turbulence or when mishandled in student training.
The fuel injected engine in the C and CBI variants eliminate the risks of engine carburettor ice issues found in carburetted engines fitted in other types - R22/Cabri G2, and older R44s.
Oleo suspension on the landing gear helps absorb those inevitable training hard landings and you have wide landing gear along with helicopters low centre of gravity making the aircraft very stable - very much a plus!
The view is amazing, you can see behind you as you fly, increasing the flight safety.
The cockpit layout is like the Hughes 500, so converting is made simpler onto the new type - this could be you first turbine helicopter on your licence!
High main rotor mast for safety when operating around the helicopter rotors running.
Cons: Schweizer S300CBI:
The S300 is rarer amongst UK flight training schools, as spares and manufacturing by previous manufacturers caused supply chain issues. This has now been resolved and the situation is improving with the new manufacturer Schweizer RSG taking on the type certificate since 2018 supporting spares and new builds. H Heli's fully support S300CBI flight training and hope to further the resurgence of this awesome training helicopter - we love them!
Cost we cannot compete on the running costs to the R22 as the S300CBI burns more fuel per hour and due to it maintenance, costs more to run. This is partly the price of being an older design, however, the S300CBI is more competitive to operate than the c - model as it is designed to only carry two people and other changes were made to make it as competitive to a R22 as possible - less powerful, to extended maintenance intervention and lower fuel burn among other features - is that a go green Credential?
Some pilots and students might not like the manual throttle ( there is no electric governor fitted - it does not really need it) and cyclic trimming(all big helicopter have this),but the S300 is very forgiving to fly, and it becomes instinctive very quickly and does not really pose an issue. The upside is it teachers throttle control, which is a key building block for student training, really helping you later when you covert to other piston or turbine engine types.
Slow what can we say! For longer distances flights this is not your helicopter! However, it is a training helicopter and most of the time you are in the local area training or at a airfield so actually it is not really an issue. Most training helicopter uses the same speeds in and around the aircraft circuit pattern, so apart from when you are on a cross country trip, no problem. The upside is when you are learning speed is not always a good idea - it gives you valuable thinking time.
Storage...none! Not the helicopter for a weekend away unless your bag fits on the seat. Type convert onto a bigger helicopter after you gain your licence, so you have space for something for the weekend.