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Abstract
The following is a brief summary of how Sikorsky obtained the Schweizer 300 light helicopter and the life cycle from beginning to end while at Sikorsky. The project was doomed from the beginning and never really had a way to get off its own feet due to many factors such as cost to manufacture, as well as parts received problems. The Schweizer aircraft could have been a great addition to the Sikorsky fleet as Sikorsky was only in the medium-to-heavy helicopter market at the time. The acquisition of Schweizer broke them into the light helicopter market. Yet, this proved to be a failure for Sikorsky due to mismanagement of project cost, administrative practices, team performance, organizational structure, project performance, customer promises, and the techniques of project management used in the acquisition. The major problems associated with the Schweizer S300 were related to not being able to reduce the cost-to-manufacture in order to compete with the growing market.
Keywords: Schweizer 300 light helicopter, team performance, project, cost-to-manufacture
Introduction and Background
The company in this case study went through many ownership changes. It began as Keystone Helicopter Corporation but was bought out by United Technologies Corporation. During this time they acquired Schweizer Aircraft, originally from Horseheads, NY, and with it the S300 light helicopter. The S300 is primarily used as a light aircraft trainer for helicopter pilots. As Sikorsky mainly deals in the medium and heavy aviation helicopter market, this filled the void in the light aircraft sector. Sikorsky, which is located at Coatesville, PA, primarily builds the S76D and the S92 medium and heavy helicopters on the commercial and VIP sectors. Eventually, this was included as part of the package deal through the Lockheed Martin acquisition of the Sikorsky Aircraft.
Summary of Project - In 2004 the Schweizer light helicopter programs of the S333 and S300 models were bought by Sikorsky Helicopter Corporation in order to break into the light aviation market. This was done partly to facilitate Sikorsky's goals of progressive innovation in the aviation industry. Since all of Sikorsky's commercial production was at Coatesville, PA, the Schweizer S300 program was moved this location, and the Schweizer plant was closed. Sikorsky had to learn to build the S300 according to old blueprints that...