Price of a new 300 ?

[HeliFrank]

I'm seriously looking into buying a Schweizer 300 C for training purpose. I'm still in the very entry stage of planning but the prices of those (used) a/c offered to me so far seemed to be way too expensive.

Does anybody have any numbers to compare to? How much would a brand new Schweizer 300 C be, how much would a new/overhauled engine for the 300 be ?

Any "useful"  :: comments welcome.

Thanks for your help...

 

Frank

[yzchopper]

The 300C at our school just got a complete overhaul on the engine. I think it was close to $40,000.00. I take that back I think the school just replaced the engine with an engine from the factory that was completely overhauled. The old engine threw a rod and did some major damage not worth the repair just the worth to replace. As for pricing new/used 300C check the Aerotrader and Trade-A-Plane magazines. Hope this helps.

 

 Steve  rotorheadsmiley

[deadstick]

NEW VFR 300C with Garmin 430 is about $305,000. COM only (no nav what so ever) saves about $9,000.  

 

New CBi VFR about $250,000.

New CBi IFR about $290,000.

[flingwing206]

Unless you need the extra power, I'd seriously consider the CBi over the C. The CBi engine runs at 2700 RPM, the C at 3100 (which is where the extra 10HP comes from). If you are using the helicopter for training, there is a much larger margin for RPM errors (overspeeds) with the CBi. Abuse aside, the CBi's engine is also more likely to make TBO.

 

The rest of the helicopters are very similar. The CBi will carry two full-sized people and full fuel. The C has an added 300 lb capacity which would be useful if you plan external loads, or two HEAVY people with full main/aux tanks (or you are doing high-altitude work). Finally, the CBi is more marketable for leaseback and if/when you want to sell it (or trade for that 333 heh heh).

 

Whichever model you choose, as you look at the option lists, you probably want to pass on the governor. The corrolator on the CBi/C works well, and in fact, the governor doesn't seem to add anything (except a cooler-looking collective grip) - it is nothing like the "quartz-locked" Robinsons.

 

The STAR system is great - automatic rotor engagement (which works very well) and startup-overspeed limiting (which I've never tested).

 

Anyway, you can't go wrong with either one - the 300C will definitely outperform the CBi, but the CBi will definitely cost less to buy and run, especially for a training ship.

 

John

[HeliFrank]

Thanks for your answers so far, really appreciate it. I wrote asked some dealers for some quotes on used 300's. Boy did I get a wide range of offers. Don't get me wrong, I'm smart enough to know that remaining times and equipment have to be taken into consideration... but some of these dealers are trying to sell you a used one for more than a brand new 2004 model  

Anyhow, I found a 1999 model with only 220TT for only $140000, privately owned, fresh annual etc. Still looking for the catch but will probably check it out next week.  

Sound like a pretty good deal, doesn't it?

[MidwestHelicopter]

We just ordered a new 300 Cbi Instrument trainer last week.  Garmin 430, HSI, triple latch doors, heater, etc.  We got it at dealer cost for $279,000--should be delivered end of May.

 

-Jonathan

[flingwing206]

The only catches for what sounds like a nice helicopter:

 

"Privately owned" doesn't mean not used for flight training - it could be on leaseback (all of our Robinsons are leasebacks).

 

The MR driveshaft - the 1999 model will have the "old style", which has a 2200-hour life limit and a $16,000 replacement cost. When you replace it, it will be with the "new style", which has double the life and a significantly lower replacement cost.

 

1999 300CB with two hundred and twenty hours only? $140,000? That seems like a good deal - I was looking in 2001/02 and was finding 1,200TT CBs in that price range.

[HeliFrank]

Hi Flingwing,

but this one is a 300C... not a CB  ::

[flingwing206]

...better yet! It would be interesting to find out why it is selling with such low time. But heck - I work for a Schweizer dealer - we have folks who buy a tricked-out 300C before they have ever flown a helicopter...