Schweizer S-333

Schweizer Aircraft · United States · first flew 2000 · helicopter

The Schweizer S-333 is a light single-turbine helicopter developed from the piston-engined Schweizer 300 family, offering improved performance for utility and surveillance roles.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.51 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Light turbine helicopter derived from Schweizer 333 piston design
Bubble canopy with exposed tail boom
Often used for law enforcement observation

A small helicopter with a very prominent bubble canopy, exposed lattice-frame tail boom, and a two-blade main rotor — immediately recognisable as a Schweizer derivative.

Specifications

The Schweizer S-333 has a length of 9.51 m (31 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.7 m (35 ft).
Its maximum speed is 222 km/h (138 mph).
Typical crew: 1 + up to 3 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Schweizer Aircraft developed the S-333 in the late 1990s as a turbine alternative to the popular 300 series; Sikorsky acquired Schweizer and continued marketing the type. The design retains the exposed steel-tube tail boom and bubble cockpit of the 300 lineage.

Variants

The S-333 is the turbine-powered variant, while the Schweizer 300C and 300CBi are the piston variants sharing the same airframe concept.

Where you'll see it

Used by law enforcement agencies, flight schools, and utility operators primarily in North America.

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