Enstrom Unveils Its New 480B

"This is a good time to jump in." That's the word from Enstrom Helicopter sales VP Bob Cleland, who's showing a B-equipped 480 at Booth 119.

Act now, in other words, if you want to get a new Enstrom 480B turbine single for the price of a 480, as the current base tab of $580,000 will go up after the show. The up to five-place 480B, Cleland says, "is an affordable turbine helicopter."

Enstrom secured FAA certification for the 13% more load-capable 480B just this past Friday. A new base price will be set in the coming weeks, Cleland says.

Enstrom is coaxing more power from the 480's Roll-Royce 250-C20W turbine, which will be rated at 305-hp at takeoff in the 480B, up from 289-hp. Continuous power rises from 269-hp to 277-hp.

More power means more payload, with the 480's useful load rising to 1,305 pounds on the 480B from 1,175 pounds previously. Gross weight rises from 2,850 pounds on the 480 to an even 3,000 pounds on the 480B.
Other modifications include pressurized oil filtration and an oil cooler for the 480B gearbox. A new vibration-damping system makes for improved handling characteristics and a smoother ride.

Like its predecessor 480 and other Enstrom aircraft, the 480B boasts a 304-pound, high-inertia main rotor system providing "forgiving flight characteristics and outstanding autorotational performance." The resulting aircraft are easy to fly, Enstrom says, and are thus especially suitable for training and for "lower time pilots or for demanding missions."

The 480B interior is designed for extra flexibility, with removable seats for a quick switch for cargo carrying. Enstrom also offers an optional instrument panel.

Pitch change control is routed through the center of the main shaft on Enstrom helicopters, making for a system that's more resistant to bird strikes and other hazards, Cleland says.

"In over 3 million flight hours, an Enstrom has never had a catastrophic main rotor system failure," the company notes. The high-inertia rotor system "may add to the cost of our helicopters, but the dividends it returns in the form of increased safety are well worth the investment."

In addition to the 480B, Enstrom is showing an F-28F piston helicopter on the trade show floor, and an F-28FP operated by the Pasadena police on the Heli-Expo static line.

The Enstrom F28F Falcon is powered by a turbocharged Lycoming H10-360-F1AD engine yielding up to 225-hp up to 12,000 feet, with a useful load in excess of 1,000 pounds. It carries a base price ­ for now ­ of $267,000.

The similarly powered Enstrom 280FX Shark, essentially the executive version of the F28F with a more aerodynamic design, is priced at $280,000 through Heli-Expo.

Privately held Enstrom employs about 100 people at its plant in Menominee, MI. Bob Tuttle is Enstrom president and CEO. Bob Jenny is engineering VP.

By Rich Piellisch