HeliExpo Dallas Day Two

RIP Schweizer 269CBi

A bad days for those who love the Hughes 269 and for those who use the CBi as a training machine. Sikorsky, who bought the Schweizer Helicopter Company back in 2004, have decided to take over the brand name of Schweizer and make the little training helicopter now the Sikorsky 300. They have also ceased production on the CBi model, as we were told by Jeff Pino this morning in the press conference. This is a disaster for all those who love training on the 300s. The CBi was created to fight against the monopoly of the Robinson in the training market, now, without its existence, there will be soon no small light alternative training model, the 300 is too expensive and so is the only other alternative the Enstrom.
However, a chink of light, Tracey Biegler of Enstrom says that the Enstrom Helicopter Company is now looking at find someway of making their light trainer a viable alternative to the R22. I do hope so. I like the Robinsons but I love the Schweizer models. A very sad day.