DR Air Force orders four Schweizer 333 helicopters

CES

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Jan 1, 2002
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Heli-Expo 2004 Las Vegas, Nevada- ? Schweizer Aircraft Corp. has been awarded a contract for four Model 333 helicopters for the Fuerza A?rea Dominicana (FAD). The helicopters, which are the first new turbine-powered helicopters in their class to join the Dominican Air Force fleet, will be used primarily for airborne patrol and pilot training. The Dominican Air Force has already taken delivery of the first three helicopters, with delivery of the fourth helicopter scheduled for April.

According to Paul Schweizer, ?The 333 provides military operators such as the Dominican Air Force with a combination of excellent performance, rugged dependability and low direct operating costs which make it the ideal aircraft for their required missions. It was selected over its competitors because of the helicopter?s proven performance in the airborne patrol role and military training role for which it was originally designed.? . . .


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? Schweizer Aircraft

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. . . CES
:alien:
 
Apr 26, 2002
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What, no back seat? What good is it! We can't use it to transport generals' and politicos' families to Bavaro for the weekend! Though we love to finance things here, we ain't buying no helicopters if we can't take 'em to Switzerland or Miami to use when we leave office (and leave our successors and poor citizens to deal with the IMF debt plans that we worked out for them).

Oh, what's that you say? It was bought with EXIM money to be paid back with Pentagon/DEA drug interdiction and/or anti-terrorism grants. Well why didn't you say so in the first place. The Yanquis are paying for 'em. We'll take four, then!

Conyo! The Yanquis won't pay for the maintenance also. Expensive decorations, then.

I went to the website and now see that it is in fact available with two jump seats. Doesn't look too comfy, though (the Kia of helicopters), so the FAD will still have to use the Hueys for those "crucial" missions to Bavaro and Juan Dolio.
 
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Robert

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Jan 2, 1999
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It's great helicopter for finding those crashed planes from Colombia.
I wonder if they equiped the 333's with additional storage?
Maybe they will take out the jump seats :)
 

Texas Bill

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Feb 11, 2003
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Don't know if this equipment can be retrofitted with armament or not, even so, it appears to be an excellent vehicle for training; being low operating/maintenance costs.
Look for future grants of obsolete equipment to the inventory by USA as an adjunct to the "War on Drugs" scenario. Reincarnation of the 50-60 MDAP system may be in the offing.

Who Knows???

Texas Bill