Enstrom 480B

Type (Muster)
Light helicopter (Einmotoriger Leichthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

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

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 227 kW (305 shp) for take-off and 206 kW (277 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): 769 kg with standard equipment
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 592 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 341 litres in two interconnected tanks
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 1361 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Never-exceed speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 230 km/h
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): 202 km/h at max. take-off weight or 213 km/h at 1135 kg
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 10000 ft (3050 m)
Best rate of climb (Steigrate): 7,0 m/s at sea level
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 3750 m (12300 ft) or 15500 ft at 1135 kg weight
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 1645 m(5400 ft) or 14000 ft at 1135 kg weight
Maximum range (max. Reichweite): 657 km at 3000 ft, no reserves, or 685 km at 1135 kg weight
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4.5 hours at 3000 ft

Costs (Kosten)
The 480B sells at 580000 US-Dollars as of 1 April 2000.
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)
Nearly 50 have been delivered by the end of 2000. Customers include the Civil Aviation Training Center in Thailand.
Enstrom delivered 5 of its 480s in 2000, 3 in1999, 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)
The B variant of the Model 480 was developed to increase mission flexibility by raising the useful load some 13 per cent. New features include:

an improved main rotor gearbox with pressurized oil filtration and an oil cooler
better take-off power of 305 shp and maximum contiuous now at 277 shp
gross weight improved 68 kg to 1360 kg
improved main rotor dampers and better flapping bearings.

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.

History (Geschichte)
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. Development had begun in the spring of 1999, and certification of the new model was targeted for May or June 2000. FAA approval was actually obtained on 9 February 2001. Over 300 flight hours had been logged, including 150 hours function and reliability tests

Last updated 27. March 2001

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