Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

A refurbished S300CBi is the first helicopter that Schweizer has completed in its OEM Certified Helicopters Program. The program offers two options: OEM Certified Refreshed or Refurbished.
Schweizer installed a new engine, blades, interior, and low-time components in the S300CBi and then repainted it. Maintenance requirements are brought up to date via 400-hour and 800-hour, annual, and 24-month inspections. Schweizer provides a one-year/1,000-hour warranty on parts replaced or repaired by the company. Buyers can select various avionics options.
According to Schweizer, this program is the “only one of its kind in the [helicopter] industry.” The Fort Worth, Texas-based company will accept any Schweizer helicopter “regardless of their airworthiness, for intensive inspections, repairs, and component replacement.” If an owner wants a new helicopter, they can trade in their older Schweizer and receive a discount equal to its value towards a new one, or Schweizer will sell the helicopter after running it through the program and give the owner a percentage of the sale price.
Helicopters traded in to Schweizer will be either refreshed or refurbished, depending on their condition. A helicopter that qualifies for refreshment will have low time and need fewer repairs and parts replacements. In addition to conducting the aforementioned inspections, Schweizer replaces parts and components that are near life limits. Blemishes are repaired and the helicopter is professionally detailed. Refurbishment is more detailed and involves many new parts, along with fresh paint and interior.
“The former owners of the Schweizer brand did not maintain parts availability, leaving a number of aircraft to be cannibalized,” said Schweizer president and CEO David Horton. “We created our new OEM Certified Helicopters Program to help bring the fleet back to life and provide a more affordable way for customers to get into helicopter ownership or upgrade to a new helicopter.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Schweizer’s Completes First S300CBi in OEM Certified Helicopter Program

The program adds new life to older Schweizer helicopters

Helicopters traded in to Schweizer will be either refreshed or refurbished, depending on their condition. 

Schweizer Completes First OEM Certified Helicopter

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Hanneke Weitering

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance 

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

In this article

Schweizer S300 Series

Schweizer

More In Rotorcraft

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

Bell 505 Makes Asia-Pacific Debut with Aichi Police

Joins fleet of longtime operator of Bell 206s and 412s

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN