Is the Schweizer 300 still being built?

RSG Helicopters has restarted production of the Schweizer 300CBi after the prior factory line paused in 2009. Current production status, lead times, and order book should be verified against RSG Helicopters' published materials before any commercial decision.

What was the TH-55 Osage?

The TH-55 Osage was the US Army designation for the Hughes 269A (later 300) primary helicopter trainer. The type was used at Fort Rucker through the 1960s and 1970s for primary helicopter pilot training before students transitioned to the Bell UH-1 Huey for advanced training. Thousands of US Army helicopter pilots learned to fly on the TH-55.

Why is the Schweizer 300 a good R22 alternative?

Schools considering the Schweizer 300 over the R22 / R44 typically cite four factors: the three-blade fully-articulated rotor (more representative of larger helicopters), absence of SFAR 73 currency framework, factory production resumed in 2025 at RSG with new airframes available, and a 24+ inch wider cabin for student / instructor comfort. Operating cost is somewhat higher than an R22, but the type-rating-prep and turbine-transition advantages can justify the cost at schools running cadet pipelines.

Schweizer Aircraft (RSG, formerly Sikorsky)

Schweizer 300 / Sikorsky S-300

Q: How does the Schweizer 300 differ from the Robinson R22?

The Schweizer has a three-blade fully-articulated main rotor versus the R22 / R44's two-blade teetering rotor — handling characteristics differ and the Schweizer's rotor system is commonly cited as more representative of the rotor systems on larger turbine helicopters students will progress to. The Schweizer is also not subject to Robinson SFAR 73, which operators that prefer not to manage that currency framework cite as a competitive advantage. Direct operating cost is somewhat higher than an R22 because of higher fuel burn (9.5 vs 8.5 gph).

Helicopter (piston) · Helicopter trainer · Pre-1980 classic

limited revival

Photo: Alf van Beem via Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Power: 180 hp
Cruise: 67 kt
MTOW: 2,050 lb
Range: 195 nm
Fuel: 100LL avgas

🇺🇸Specs shown in Imperial.

Performance

Cruise speed (Vc)67 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne)91 kt
Stall (landing config) (Vs0)0 kt
Climb rate750 fpm
Service ceiling10,200 ft
Range195 nm
Endurance3 h
Takeoff roll0 ft
Landing roll0 ft

Weights

MTOW2,050 lb
Empty weight1,046 lb
Useful load650 lb
Baggage capacity50 lb

Dimensions

Wingspan26.8 ft
Length28.9 ft
Height8.7 ft
Cabin width50 in

Powerplant

EngineLycoming HIO-360-G1A — 180 hp · 100LL · 9.5 gph
Total horsepower180 hp
Primary fuel100LL avgas
Unleaded pathG100UL eligible (STC available)

Cockpit & avionics

Cockpit typeanalog
Autopilot commonly availableNo
Typical packages
- Six-pack analog with single nav/com— as-delivered

Certification

RegulatoryFAR Part 27
Certified rolesNormal category helicopter
IFRNo
Spin approvedNo
Aerobatic-categoryNo
TailwheelNo
Complex (FAR 61.31)No
High-performance (FAR 61.31)No

Why is the Schweizer 300 / Sikorsky S-300 popular?

Structured popularity-driver evidence. Each axis below carries one factual statement; we don't grade, the facts speak.

Industry network effects

Commonly cited as the second-most-common piston helicopter trainer behind the Robinson R22 / R44; the type's three-blade fully-articulated rotor distinguishes its handling from the Robinson teetering-rotor family.

Pedagogy and handling

Three-blade fully-articulated rotor system handles differently from the R22 / R44 two-blade teetering rotor — schools commonly cite the Schweizer 300's rotor system as more representative of the rotor systems on larger turbine helicopters students will progress to.

Regulatory fit

Not subject to Robinson SFAR 73 — operators that prefer not to manage the SFAR 73 currency framework cite this as a competitive advantage for the Schweizer in helicopter PPL(H) and CPL(H) training.

Production volume

Approximately 3,000 airframes built across the Hughes 269 / Schweizer 300 / Sikorsky S-300 production runs since 1957; US Army TH-55 history makes the type formative for thousands of US Army helicopter pilots.

Before you buy more aircraft

The next airframe is rarely the highest-leverage move.

Flight school revenue is a function of three things — utilization, dispatch reliability, and student progression — that multiply rather than add. Most schools running below 850 hours per aircraft per year have hidden capacity worth more than the next purchase, already paid for and sitting on the ramp.

Read: Why buying more aircraft probably won't grow your school

Operations

Record hours, no profit

Where margin actually leaks when the schedule looks full.

Strategy

The three hurdles to profitability

The structural barriers most expansion plans miss.

How flight schools track this aircraft in Aviatize

Helicopter schools running Schweizer 300 fleets configure them in Aviatize with Lycoming HIO-360 engine reserves and standard helicopter maintenance scheduling. Unlike the R22 / R44, the Schweizer is not subject to SFAR 73 — operators don't model SFAR 73 currency rules but still track standard FAA helicopter PIC currency requirements. The three-blade fully-articulated rotor system has its own inspection cycle that is tracked as a recurring maintenance item.

Smart Planning & Booking Training Management Maintenance Control Billing & Payments Compliance & Auditing

Weighing up the numbers? Model the operating economics of a Schweizer 300 / Sikorsky S-300 fleet with our free profitability calculator — no signup required.

Editorial confidence

Low confidence — research backlogLast reviewed 2026-05-26

Two primary sources cited (manufacturer page, FAA TCDS). RSG production-restart specifics are research-backlog candidates pending primary-source confirmation; this entry treats those claims as factual only at the level the manufacturer's own materials support.

Notes on this entry

Fleet-size figures
The RSG production-restart status and any specific order-book figures for the Schweizer 300CBi are research-stage and have not been primary-source verified for this entry. Verify against RSG Helicopters' published materials before commercial reliance.

Sources

Primary sources are POH / TCDS / manufacturer pages; derived sources record where Aviatize editorial synthesis is layered on top.

Primary sourcePOH·Retrieved 2026-05-26
RSG Helicopters
https://schweizerrsg.com/
RSG Schweizer 300CBi product pages.
Primary sourceFAA TCDS·Retrieved 2026-05-26
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/TCDS
FAA TCDS H1WE covers Schweizer 300 / S-300 variants.
Editorial synthesisAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Aviatize editorial
Entry authored by Aviatize from accumulated industry knowledge cross-referenced against the primary sources cited above. Specific fleet figures, fleet wins, and recent production status changes are research-backlog candidates and should be verified against primary sources before flipping verified: true.
Secondary sourceAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-26
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_300
Schweizer 300C (Hughes 269). Wikipedia confirms 2,800 built across full Hughes 269 / Schweizer 300 family, manufactured 1964-1983 (then revived by RSG Helicopters), first flight 2 October 1956 (Hughes 269), length 30 ft 10 in, height 8 ft 8.625 in, empty 1,046 lb, gross 2,050 lb, Textron Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 hp (derated from 225 hp), cruise 67 kn, max 82 kn, Vne 91 kn, range 194 nm, service ceiling 10,200 ft, climb 750 fpm. schweizerrsg.com confirms current production S300C, S300CBi, and S333.

Related aircraft

Other training airframes commonly evaluated, operated, or compared alongside the Schweizer 300 / Sikorsky S-300.

R22 / R44 family

Robinson Helicopter Company

Helicopter (piston)

Power: 145hp
Fuel: 100LL avgas

Ab-initio / PPLCheckride prepDiscovery flights

Cabri G2

Hélicoptères Guimbal

Helicopter (piston)

Power: 145hp
Fuel: 100LL avgas

Ab-initio / PPLCheckride prep

Photos & credits: each thumbnail opens that aircraft’s page, where the photographer and licence are credited under the hero image.

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