By Rebecca Rayko

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Schweizer Aircraft president Paul Schweizer says his company is finally able to compete seriously in the light turbine helicopter market thanks to the new Model 333.

The Model 330 follow-on made its debut at Heli Expo 2000. Schweizer believes the Model 333 will boost sales and revenues this year due to the aircraft's advanced capabilities like a high-stance landing gear, upgraded dynamic system components, and new technology rotor blades.

"With the Model 333, Schweizer is sending a message that it is committed to be a leader in the light turbine helicopter market," he said.

It has more power, more gross weight, more useful load, more speed, more hover performance, and best of all, the lowest operating costs of any turbine-powered helicopter, said Schweizer.

And at a base price of $595,000, the Model 333 is considerably less expensive than its Bell competitors and only $12,000 more than the Model 330.

"We think that this helicopter's performance for its cost will set a new standard for light utility, turbine-powered helicopters," said Schweizer.

The company has room for improvement on the sales front, Schweizer admitted. The company delivered only 40 helicopters in 1999, which he attributes in part to the fact that people knew the Model 333 was on the horizon.

Schweizer Aircraft brought in about $36 million in sales in 1999, but Schweizer expects deliveries to increase to the 50-55 range for 2000.

Powered by the venerable Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20W engine, the 333 sports a unique fuselage shape and large horizontal and vertical stabilizers. There are no hydraulic boost systems or stability augmentation devices that add cost, weight or maintenance headaches.

The aircraft has 30% more useful load than the Model 330SP.

The first Model 333 will be in the market by April, Schweizer said. The first sales of the new helicopter were to the San Antonio Police Department, which is upgrading from the Model 330SP.