Enstrom 480

Type (Muster)
Light helicopter (Einmotoriger Leichthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Enstrom Helicopter Corp.
PO Box 490
Menominee, MI 49585
USA

Phone: 001-906/863-1200
Fax: 001-906/863-6821

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 3 to 4
Baggage (Gepäck): 70 kg in the tailboom and 22 kg behind the cabin

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Allison 250-C20W
Power (Leistung): 313 kW (420 shp), but derated to 216 kW (289 shp) for take-off and 201 kW (269 shp) continuous

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 9,09 m
Height (Höhe): 3,00 m
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 1,79 m
Width over skids (Breite über Landekufen): 2,50 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 9,75m
Tail-rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,54 m
Main rotor disk (Hauptrotorfläche): 74,7 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 760 kg with standard equipment
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 533 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 341 litres in two interconnected tanks
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 1293 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Never-exceed speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 231 km/h
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): 204 km/h at max. take-off weight or 211 km/h at 1135 kg
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 13000 ft (3965 m)
Best rate of climb (Steigrate): 6,7 m/s at sea level
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 1980 m(6500 ft) or 12200 ft at 1135 kg weight
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 3290 m (10800 ft) or 15000 ft at 1135 kg weight
Maximum range (max. Reichweite):787 km at 1293 kg take-off weight or 806 kg with 1134 kg take-off, full fuel, no reserves
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4.9 hours at 3000 ft

Costs (Kosten)
In early 1999, the price of an Enstrom 480 was around 532000 US-Dollars for a basic helicopter. In 1997 the Enstrom 480 sold for around 500000 US-Dollars. At the introduction at Heli-Expo 90, the price had been 385000 US-Dollars.
Direct operating costs were put at 145,15 US-Dollars in the spring of 1998.

Customers (Kunden)
Over 40 have been sold by the end of 1999. Customers include the Civil Aviation Training Center in Thailand.
Enstrom delivered 3 of its 480s in 1999, 11 in 1998, 7 in 1997, 7 in 1996, 8 in 1995, 4 in 1994 and 2 in 1993.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Schweizer 333
Robinson R44 Raven

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
Early design efforts for Enstrom's turbine development program began in late 1987. A proof of concept 280FX (modified from the piston-powered model) flew for the first time in December 1988. Maiden flight of a 480/TH-28 with the wider cabin was on October 7, 1989. Over 450 hours were flown by September 1990. A production representative helicopter made its maiden flight on 21 December 1991.
Initial FAA certification was received on June 7, 1993, some two years later than thought when the 480 was officially introduced to the civil market at Heli-Expo in February 1990 at Dallas (Texas).
The first helicopter was handed over to Eichenberger Aviation on June 13, 1994 at the Paris Air Show. Eichenberger is the Enstrom dealer for Switzerland.
In December 1994 the approval was extended to FAR 27 standards. This simplified certification efforts in various foreign countries like Germany (certified April 1995), UK (April 1995), Brazil (September 1995), Belgium (October 1995), Japan (December 1995) and France (certified February 16, 1996)
Product improvements continue, with a new rotor system introduced in 1996, emergency pop-out floats available from 1997, a new air-conditioning pack and new doors with better sealing. A smaller instrument console for better view is also an option since 1997.
At the Heli-Expo in January 2000, Enstrom announced the 480B variant, to increase mission flexibility. The turbine-engined Enstrom is also offered as a training helicopter under the designation TH-28. This variant, which was certified in September 1992, features three crashworthy seats, a crashworthy fuel system and large instrument panel for VFR/IFR training.

Last updated 2. March 2000

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