Story ID: 
Sikorsky Considers Selling Single-engine Line
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: Two former Schweizer models are still produced but Sikorsky is no longer taking orders.
Word Count: 328
Sikorsky stopped taking orders for its single-engine product line (née Schweizer) and is considering selling it, among other options. In a written answer to AIN’s questions, the company said it is still producing the S-300 and S-333 at its Coatesville, Pa. factory but has terminated the S-434 program because of technical problems.

“Sikorsky is fulfilling all orders that are under contract, but we are not taking any new orders at this time,” a spokeswoman said. Production of the S-300 and S-333 will continue until all current orders are fulfilled. “We remain focused on providing strong aftermarket support,” she added. However, AIN has repeatedly heard from strongly dissatisfied customers in North America and Europe, complaining about a lack of spare parts.

Nine S-434s, an improved version of the S-333, were delivered to the Saudi Ministry of Defense. It was then determined that “the lives of the drivetrain components were going to have to be reduced to values that made the configuration uneconomical to operate.” Following a review of the situation with the customer, Sikorsky discontinued the product line.

The S-434 sported a four-blade rotor, a new tail-rotor blade design and an improved Kaflex driveshaft. The main rotor and its transmission came from the unmanned Fire Scout. It used the same 320-shp (derated max takeoff power) Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft as the S-333. The mtow was increased by 300 pounds, to 2,850 pounds. Sikorsky pursued FAA certification for the S-434 but did not attain it.

Asked whether Sikorsky could sell the business, which it acquired in 2004, the spokeswoman said the firm is “trying to get the economics and supply chain squared away. We had a lot of cleanup to do to make that product line what we wanted it to be, either to retain it or to have a viable product line for someone who might want to be in that business.” Sikorsky will continue to “evaluate all options.”