The Hughes 300C is well known in the aviation field as one of the safest light piston helicopters in the world. The 300C is an extremely versatile light utility, piston-powered helicopter. Its wide range of options and accessories make the 300C easily adaptable to a multitude of diverse missions. Its unequaled maneuverability, impressive useful load and outstanding range and endurance allow the 300C to perform in environments where other piston helicopters fall short.
IFR Trainer N7490F
VFR Trainer N7436F
VFR Trainer N58371
The US Army adopted the Model 269A in 1964 as its training helicopter and designated it the TH-55A Osage. In all, 792 TH-55 helicopters would be delivered by 1969, and it would remain in service as the Army's primary helicopter trainer until it was replaced in 1988. At the time of its replacement, over 60,000 Army pilots had trained on TH-55 making it the Army's longest serving training helicopter.
In 1964, Hughes introduced the slightly-larger three-seat Model 269B which it marketed as the Hughes 300. That same year, the Hughes 269 set an endurance record of 101 hours. To set the record, two pilots took turns piloting the aircraft and hovered in ground-effect for fueling. To ensure no cheating, eggs were affixed to the bottom of the skid gear to register any record-ending landing.
The Hughes 300 was followed in 1969 by the improved Hughes 300C (sometimes 269C), which first flew on 6 March 1969 received FAA certification in May 1970. This new model introduced a more powerful 190hp (140kW) Lycoming HIO-360-D1A engine and increased diameter rotor, giving a payload increase of 45%.
It was this model that Schweizer began building under license from Hughes in 1983 and is still virtually unchanged today.
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