PH-HHA Schweizer 269D Model 330 c/n 0014 - Heli-Holland - Heliport Emmen in Holland - 5 May 1996

The first of two prototypes of the two-seat Hughes Model 269 helicopter flew first in October 1956, only 13 months after commencement of design work. The basic design sparked US Army interest to order 5, designated YHO-2-HU, for evaluation. As a result Hughes won a US Army contract for a light helicopter primary trainer and 792 were built as the TH55A Osage. Deliveries of the commercial Model 269A, designated Hughes 200, started in 1961. The three-seat Model 269B, designated Hughes 300, flew first in 1964. In 1969 the 300 was followed by the improved Model 269C, designated Hughes 300C. Since 1983 Schweizer has built the 269C/300C, initially under licence for Hughes. Schweizer Aircraft Corp. acquired all rights to the helicopter in 1986. To join in the 1990 U.S.Army NTH competition for the TH-55 replacement, Schweizer Aircraft Co. developed the 269D out of the 269 basic design. The 269D uses the 269 airframe, has an enlarged cabin and is powered by an Allison 250 turboshaft engine. Schweizer markets the 269D as Model 330. In 2005 Schweizer Aircraft Corp. became a wholly owned Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. subsidiary.

Schweizer 269D / 330 c/n 0014 is one of three helicopters of the type operated by Heli-Holland. The 1995-built helicopter was test flown as a Schweizer 269D Model 330 with the temporary registration N86G. On 29 March 1995, the registration PH-HHA was reserved and the helicopter was registered as PH-HHA with Heli-Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 13 July 1995. By the end of 1997, the PH-HHA departed in Koninklijke Marine colours to Willemstad, Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles. The PH-HHA was based at hato AB and operated for the Royal Netherlands Navy. In March 2008, Schweizer 269D / 330 PH-HHA returned to the Netherlands.