Enstrom F280FX Shark

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): 2
Baggage (Gepäck): 0,18 cu m, holding 49 kg

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD four-cylinder aircooled piston engine
Power (Leistung): 168 kW (228 hp) turbocharged to deliver full power frm sea level to 12000 feet (3660 m)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 8,71 m
Height (Höhe): 2,74 m
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 1,52 m
Width over skids (Breite über Landekufen): 2,21 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 9,75 m
Tail-rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,42 m
Main rotor disk (Hauptrotorfläche): 74,7 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 719 kg
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 460 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 109 kg (40 gal) or 143 kg with auxiliary tank
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 1179 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Never-exceed speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 188 km/h IAS, up to 3000 ft
Max. cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): 188 km/h
Economical cruise speed (wirtschaftliche Reisegeschw.): 172 km/h
Max. operating altitude (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 3660 m (12000 ft)
Best rate of climb (Steigrate): 7,4 m/s at 1050 kg gross weight or 5,9 m/s at 1179 kg
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 4025 m (13200 ft) at 1043 kg gross weight, or 2345 m at 1179 kg
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 2650 m at 1043 kg gross weight
Maximum range (max. Reichweite): 483 km, no reserve
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 3,5 h

Costs (Kosten)
A basic price of 254900 US-Dollars was mentioned in December 1998 for the 280FX shark. The F28F Falcon base price at that time was 247900 US-Dollars.
Direct operating costs of 85,05 US-Dollars per hour were claimed by Enstrom as of April 1998.

Customers (Kunden)
Around 80 of the model 280FX Shark were delivered by the end of 1997. Among fleet users is the Chilean Army (15 for primary and instrument training)
Total model 280 production is now over 320. Recent delivery totals (combined with the F-28F) were 5 in 1999, 3 in 1998, 5 in 1997, 4 in 1996, 3 in 1995, 13 in 1994 and 8 in 1993. Before that 3 were delivered in 1992, 9 in 1991, 15 in 1990, 18 in 1989, 10 in 1988, 5 in 1987, 7 in 1986, 7 in 1985, 3 in 1984, 1 in 1983, 7 in 1982, 17 in 1981, 30 in 1980, 19 in 1979, 47 in 1978 and 52 in 1977.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Robinson R22
Schweizer 300C

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Enstrom 280FX Shark is the latest development in the F28/280 series, which traces its history back to the early 60s. Improvements include better seats with energy absorption foam, new tailplane with endplates, redesigned air inlet and covered tail-rotor driveshaft and more streamlined front fuselage.
The 280FX was certified by the FAA to FAR Pt 6 on 14 January 1985.
The other Enstrom piston-powered helicopter in production today is the F28F Falcon, which differs little from the 280FX, but is more tailored to training, law enforcement and various utility roles.

Last updated 3 March 2000

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