A short field interview (HAI Heli Expo, March 5, 2019) by Kenny Keller with Kendra (representing the revived Schweizer/Schweitzer organization) and pilot Taz about revitalizing the Schweizer helicopter brand. Key points: the company has reactivated staff focused on parts/spares and support for operators, intends to obtain a production certificate (PC) to enable new production, and targets resuming builds and taking orders in late 2019; the helicopter is promoted for student safety and forgiving handling.
Questions this video answers
HAI Heli Expo, March 5, 2019.
She hoped for the month of March 2019.
She said probably third quarter 2019 (also referenced fourth quarter 2019 as a goal to start building).
Fort Worth.
Chapters
Hey, it's Kenny with Helicopter Land Ground School. And so many of you have been asking for months about the Schweitzer. And we've been telling you for a year, hey, kind of unknown from last year at Heli Expo, they said, we're working on it. We're trying to get parts available. We're trying to revitalize this company. For a year we've been wondering. So we're here with Kendra from what will soon be Schweitzer usa. So we're gonna have her just, in her own words, tell you, the viewer, that the company is still alive and what it is they're doing to keep the Schweitzer name alive. So plain and simple, tell us what's happening with Schweitzer.
We are so excited to be back. We are. We are back full time. We have jumped in. There's a lot of questions. A lot of people are wondering, are you taking baby steps? Are you doing anything? And the answer is yes. Yes. We are working so hard to fix this, fix what has happened in the last 10 years. As a current, as an operator myself, my heart broke every time I saw a helicopter run out of a short shaft or a main rotor drive shaft or a washer. And so what we have been doing is we have created a team to fix this. One of our main priorities, obviously, is spares. We are working with the spares to get everything we need in stock. The one thing we do ask of our operators out there is, please tell us what you need. We are here to support you. That is our job. And so we have a small team, but we are very excited because right now, actually we're working on our PC, which that will allow us to build new helicopters. To build new helicopters, we need to have all those spares available and ready to go.
And how soon do you think that might happen?
The PC? I'm hoping the month of March 2019.
Awesome. So, coming up. So you answered the parts question, right? Because that's probably the big one. People are asking, in your opinion, why would they want to fly a Schweitzer over the Robinson or the Nstrom? We know the. I want to give my credit, I do have Schweitzer time. I know it's a great helicopter. It's been around forever. Time tested, proven military used it. So it's been around forever. Right. So it does have that behind it. And now 2019, a student's trying to pick, why would they want to go with a Schweitzer? Why would you recommend they go to.
The Schweitzer, one word. Safety. If you're a student pilot, and I'm not talking bad about any other schools, it's good to have a good array of helicopters under your belt that I do recommend, but I've been an Instructor for over 10 years, and safety is the number one. As a new pilot, honestly, you don't know what you're doing. It's like getting into a bike and never riding a bike before. And. And you want to be in something that if you do make a mistake, it's forgiving. And this helicopter is just that awesome.
I'm gonna take the camera. Taz, jump in. Because you fly Schweitzers, let's reverse rolls. I'm putting you on the spot, mate. And get in front of the camera. Just give your. Just give your quick bit on the Schweitzer.
I've been flying schweitzer's for about 10 years now, and I love them. So it's nice to see Schweitzer kind of getting back in the. Into the game. So, yeah, like you said, safety is the number one thing, and that's the best thing I like about the Schweitzers.
Anything else you can think of to ask her before we sign out?
You mentioned that they're starting to. You're wanting to build new Schweitzers. How soon do you think once you get this approved that you'll be able to.
Fourth quarter, 2019. That means this year our goal is to start building it. Actually, probably third quarter of this year. And then next year we're going to be game on. We're taking orders for new ones. So like I said before, that means we will have the parts. We're also helping people. If they have old helicopters that have been abandoned, we are here. Call us, let us know. We're in Fort Worth, actually. Not here, but. And so just call us, let us know what you've got going on and whatever you need, please give us a heads up and we will do our best to support you. You're our family.
Awesome.
Cool, cool. You want to grab this? Well, thank you for taking the time to talk to us and going on camera.
Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much.
Just on here. Here's a camera. Stick it in your face. We appreciate it. So, Schweitzer fans, there you go. There's what's happening. Give us a comment down below what you think about Sweitzer, what your questions are. We'll be here for another day. So we've got 24 hours to come back and ask them your other Schweitzer questions until Wednesday evening. So get your questions in tonight or tomorrow morning before we come back tomorrow. So subscribe. Click the bell. See you tomorrow.
