Schweizer 333: Overview
The Model 333 has more power, more gross weight, more useful load, more speed, more hover performance; and best of all, the lowest operating cost
of any turbine-powered helicopter. 
The Model 333...a new helicopter for
a new millennium; a new standard for light turbine-powered helicopters.
From the moment you increase collective, you can feel the 333 come alive—rock solid, powerful, and responsive. It is a sense... a feeling. Everything is as it should be.
You are at the controls of an aircraft that was designed to perform and you know it.
It starts with power and reliability. The power of the Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20W with over 85 million flight hours. The reliability of the dynamic system proven by 20 million flight hours in 269 Series helicopters.
The upgraded rotor system and advanced technology main rotor blades are the secrets to the 333's performance. With 30% more useful load than a comparably equipped 330, the Model 333 can lift its empty weight and then some. Taking off at a typical mission weight, you can count on a cruise speed of more than 105 knots, endurance in excess of 3.5 hours, and in-ground effect hover above 8,000 feet. The Model 333 is a working machine.
And stability. The flight handling characteristics of the 333 are, quite simply, wonderful. The combination of a unique fuselage shape and large horizontal and vertical stabilizers produces unequaled stability. A direct linkage pushrod control system provides light stick forces and precise control. There are no hydraulic boost systems or stability augmentation devices that add cost, weight, or maintenance headaches. Vibration levels and internal cabin noises are astonishingly low. Ergonomically designed seats reduce pilot fatigue.
The Model 333 has evolved greatly from the 330 helicopter first introduced in 1992. Years of engineering development have produced tremendous advancements such as:
- Main rotor blades with high-lift, cambered airfoils
- Larger diameter rotor head with increased disk area
- Increases in maximum continuous and maximum takeoff power
- Increase in allowable torque
- Increases in Vne and cruise speed
- High stance landing gear with improved ground clearance
- Increases in component lives
- Splined main rotor hub and oil-filled drive shaft
The result is a work-horse aircraft. The Model 333 delivers performance and carries enough useful load to operate with a crew of four, full fuel, and mission equipment for the most demanding of operators.
Mission Flexibility and Unique Design
If there were an award for operating flexibility, the Model 333 would win hands down. The distinctive, wide-bodied cockpit provides the ultimate in configuration flexibility. It enables unique mission capability for demanding roles such as airborne law enforcement, primary and advanced training, powerline patrol, electronic news gathering, transportation, and a variety of utility applications.
In fact, the 333 is the first helicopter ever certified by the FAA with the option for three complete sets of flight controls. This enables crew coordination to be taught in the cockpit.
Cockpit Design
From overhead to straight down, visibility through the large canopy is superb and far exceeds FAA standards. The center seat is elevated eight inches and aft ten inches of the outboard seats to enhance forward visibility.
Two standard instrument panels are available: a small VFR panel with detachable map case or a large VFR/IFR panel with space to accommodate nearly any avionics requirement.
A wide-bodied cabin comes standard with a three-place utility vehicle or a four-place cockpit. The pilot and co-pilot sit in the forward seats on left and right and the middle bench seat accommodates two passengers. A deluxe interior with leather upholstery is available as an option. Another alternative is a three-place training or aerial patrol cockpit. This configuration optimizes the aircraft for specific mission roles and provides exceptional crew comfort. Cost Bottom line value. The Model 333 is the most cost-effective turbine helicopter in the market today. That means that its cost of ownership (the cost to acquire and the cost to operate) is less than the competitors’, substantially less. Its direct operating costs are only 70% of typical costs for many other single-turbine helicopters. And that's not all. Because of its robust structure and excellent performance, retained value will remain high. The Model 333 delivers exceptional value.
Cost
Bottom line value. The Model 333 is the most cost-effective turbine helicopter in the market today. That means that its cost of ownership (the cost to acquire and the cost to operate) is less than the competitors’, substantially less. Its direct operating costs are only 70% of typical costs for many other single-turbine helicopters. And that's not all. Because of its robust structure and excellent performance, retained value will remain high.
The Model 333 delivers exceptional value.
It is Schweizer Aircraft's expressed objective that the Model 333 be the safest single engine helicopter ever produced. To achieve this objective means: (a) minimizing the chances that an accident will occur and (b) if an accident does occur, provide the maximum in crash energy absorption. High component reliability and forgiving flight characteristics provide pilot safety. Occupant protection is enhanced by: 29 inches of crushable energy absorbing structure, a crash resistant fuel bladder, anti-plowing keel beams to prevent sudden horizontal deceleration, and roll-over protection which eliminates the potential for blade impingement into the crew compartment. The Model 333 far exceeds safety guidelines specified by the FAA. It is truly engineered for safety.
Schweizer 333: Technical Specifications
- The Model 333 provides:
- Thirty percent (30%) more useful load than a comparably equipped 330SP
- Upgraded main rotor system including: blades with cambered airfoil; large diameter, splined hub assembly; oil-filled drive shaft
- Superior cruise and hover performance in high and hot operating conditions
- Bottom line value: the most cost-effective turbine helicopter on the market today
- Unequaled flight stability and outstanding handling characteristics
- High stance landing gear with improved ground clearance
- Spacious cabin with superb visibility
- Reduced pilot fatigue because of: ergonomically designed seats, low control forces, low vibration levels, and low cabin noise levels
- Broad range of customer services, from spare parts support to maintenance training
- New standard for safety: forgiving flight characteristics and components with proven reliability reduce the risk of accident; unparalleled energy absorption for crew protection
- Lowest noise signature of any conventional tail rotor turbine helicopter
View the 2006 Overhaul and Retirement Schedule (PDF file)
View the Estimated Direct Cost of Operation (PDF file)
Performance
VNE(Kias) Sea Level 120knots 222km/hr
Cruise Speed 105 knots 192 km/hr
Maximum Endurance 4.1 hrs
Maximum Range 310nm 574km
Weight
Empty weight 1250 lbs 567 kg
Gross weight 2550 lbs 1157 kg
Useful load 1300 lbs 590 kg
Rotor System
Main rotor diameter 27.51 ft 8.39 m
Main rotor disk area 594 sq/ft 55.18 sq/m
Main rotor RPM 466 - 471 466 - 471
Tail rotor diameter 4.25 ft 1.30 mPowerplant
Rolls-Royce 250-C20W Gas Turbine Engine
Maximum takeoff (Derated) 250 shp 186 kw
Maximum continuous (Derated) 230 shp 171 kw
Fuel (Turbine Fuel)
Usable capacity (73 gal) 493 lbs 224 kg