Sikorsky Global Helicopters announced delivery of six S-300CBi helicopters to Bristow Academy, a Florida-based flight training school. All six aircraft will join Bristow’s fleet of 48 S-300CBi helicopters, currently used for flight instruction at the company’s three U.S. locations in California, Florida, and Louisiana.
Bristow Academy started in Concord, Calif., in 1987, and since then has graduated more than 2,000 helicopter pilots who now work in an array of missions worldwide. It is the only flight school outside of Europe approved to offer the Joint Aviation Authority Integrated Commercial Helicopter Pilot License program. The Academy is also one of only three helicopter schools approved by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
The 300 series of three-blade piston-powered helicopters have been in production for almost 50 years, first with Hughes Helicopters then Schweizer Aircraft. The 300CB model was produced by Schweizer and powered by a Textron Lycoming HO-360-C1A, 180-horsepower engine. Schweizer further enhanced the 300 series with the introduction of the 300 CBi. This version added fuel injection, over-speed protection, automatic rotor engagement, and a low-rotor rpm warning system. The target market was helicopter training. Schweizer Aircraft recently became a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft and the model was rebranded as the Sikorsky S-300CBi.
“The S-300CBi helicopter is an excellent training platform with great stability,” said Samantha Willenbacher, director of Bristow Academy. “The helicopter’s characteristics give students a more efficient and positive learning experience.”
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