Schweizer RSG — owner of the type certificate for the popular light single S-300 — says its appearance as a listing on an auction house website “reflects an ownership and investment opportunity for the company” rather than signalling a potential closure.
The listing on Starman Bros. Auctions’ website says the company has been retained as the exclusive representative to “facilitate the sale and ownership transition of Schweizer RSG LLC as a going concern.”
The sale includes the company’s type certificate covering the 269A, 269A-1, 269C, 269C-1, and 269D helicopter models, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 145 Repair Station Certificate, manufacturing tooling and production assets, inventory, intellectual property, customer contracts, and “related business operations necessary to continue manufacturing, supporting, and servicing the Schweizer product line.”
“This opportunity represents the acquisition of an established, fully operational aerospace manufacturing and support company with longstanding FAA certifications, active production capabilities, existing contracts, and an experienced workforce,” the listing states. “The company continues to operate normally, supporting its global customer base and fleet operators while pursuing new ownership to support future growth and expanded production.”
In a letter to Schweizer customers posted to social media, Schweizer RSG president and CEO Michal Birdsell said he wanted to “provide clarity” as to what the listing means for the company and its customers.
“The recent listing . . . reflects an ownership and investment opportunity for the company — not a liquidation or closure,” he wrote. “This process is intended to position Schweizer for long-term success by attracting the right strategic partner to support continued growth and investment in the business.”
He said the company is operating normally, and that there will be no interruption to its operations, production, parts availability or service support.
“We are fully staffed, actively supporting our global customer base, and remain committed to the Schweizer fleet worldwide,” he wrote. “In fact, this initiative is designed to strengthen our ability to serve our customers by enhancing resources, expanding capabilities, and improving support over time.
“We view this as a very positive step for Schweizer. With the right investment and partnership, we expect to accelerate product support, increase parts availability, and continue developing solutions that benefit our operators for years to come.”
Schweizer RSG was formed in 2018 to purchase Sikorsky’s light product line — including the S-300 — and the sale brought hope of improved support for the estimated 2,900 S-300 series aircraft flying around the world. Sikorsky, in turn, had purchased the type, originally known as the Hughes 300, through its acquisition of Schweizer Aircraft Corporation in 2005.
