Enstrom 480

In the 1980s the Enstrom Helicopter Company was producing two helicopters, both powered by horizontally-opposed piston engines. When the United States Army revealed a requirement for a turbine-powered training helicopter, the company designed a larger, turbine-powered version of its 280 Shark. The proposed unit was designated TH28 (TH for "training helicopter" derived from the 28(0), since the Army's proposal was NTH, "new training helicopter").

The Army contract effort was not successful,Bell Helicopter Company won the bid, with a militarized version of its 206 JetRanger. (Stephen Pope Enstrom 480B, Flying, September 2011, pp. 60-65) but the company effort looked promising enough that management committed to continue with a commercial version, which was introduced in 1993. Its power was provided by the C20W variant of the Rolls-Royce Model 250 turboshaft engine.

The 480 fuselage consists of a welded steel-tube framework with aluminum cover and tailcone. The pilot controls the aircraft from the left seat, which is unusual for helicopters. The aircraft does not have a hydraulic system; a trim system absorbs rotor feedback and allows the pilot to position the desired stick setting.Failure of the trim system would require a fifteen-pound control force. (Flying, p. 65)

The 480B engine is capable of producing 420 shp, but in this application it is derated to 305 shp for 5 minutes and 277 continuous shp, which is available to 13,000 MSL on a standard day. Thus hot-temperature or high-altitude operations have a considerable degree of power available. The engine drives a three-bladed rotor of 32 feet diameter and a tail rotor of 5 feet diameter. The main rotor and hubs weigh a total of 300 pounds, so there is considerable inertia in the system during a loss of power. Autorotation landings are uneventful.Flying, p. 62: " . . it was a nonevent that seemed more like a slightly steeper-than-normal approach with a gentle touchdown . ."

;480

:Five-seat civil version based on the Enstrom TH-28, certified in November 1993.

File:Enstrom480B.jpg

;480B

:Enhanced and with increased gross weight (3000 lb) and power limits, certified in February 2001 in the US.{{cite web|url = http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/8cf1be74a48788fb862582960072d5b8/$FILE/H1CE_Rev_38.pdf|title = Type Certificate Data Sheet No. H1CE|accessdate = 8 February 2019|author = Federal Aviation Administration|author-link = Federal Aviation Administration|date = 23 May 2018|archive-date = 9 February 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124450/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/8cf1be74a48788fb862582960072d5b8/$FILE/H1CE_Rev_38.pdf|url-status = dead}} and in February 2019 in Canada.{{cite web|url=https://copanational.org/en/2019/02/07/enstrom-480b-helicopter-cleared-for-takeoff-in-canada/|title=Enstrom 480B Helicopter Cleared for Takeoff in Canada|first=Steve|last=Drinkwater|date=7 February 2019|website=copanational.org|accessdate=8 February 2019}} The gross weight and useful load were increased by approximately 150 pounds.

;480B Guardian

:480B configured for police or law enforcement operations, fitted with a front-mounted camera and searchlight.[http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=717&issue_id=102005 Police Chief (magazine) website]

;TH-28

:Based on the Enstrom 280FX with a turbine engine, a larger cabin and larger horizontal and vertical stabilizers. Certified in September 1992 Military training, light patrol version, six built.

The aircraft is operated by a large number of small commercial and flight training operators, most operating one or two aircraft.

{{CZE}}

• Flight Training Center Pardubice{{cite news |last1=Warnes |first1=Alan |title=Czech CLV flight training centre receives first two Enstrom 480B-Gs |url=https://www.janes.com/article/81320/czech-clv-flight-training-centre-receives-first-two-enstrom-480b-gs |accessdate=17 September 2018 |work=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly |agency=IHS Markit |date=26 June 2018 |archive-date =17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917143821/https://www.janes.com/article/81320/czech-clv-flight-training-centre-receives-first-two-enstrom-480b-gs|url-status = dead}}

;{{GNQ}}

• Military of Equatorial Guinea{{cite web|url=http://smallairforces.blogspot.com/2011/03/equatorial-guinea.html |title= Equatorial Guinea Air Force |publisher= |date=3 March 2011|accessdate=12 February 2013}}

;{{IDN}}

• Indonesian National Police{{cite web|url=http://www.enstromhelicopter.com/about/history/ |title=Enstrom History |publisher= enstromhelicopter.com |date=|accessdate=12 February 2013}}

;{{JPN}}

• Japan Ground Self-Defense Force{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/enstrom-ships-second-th-480b-jgsdf/|title= Enstrom ships second TH-480B for the JGSDF |publisher= shephardmedia.com |date=|accessdate=12 February 2013}}

;{{THA}}

• Royal Thai Army{{cite web|url=http://helihub.com/2012/02/12/deliveries-of-enstrom-480-to-royal-thai-army-pass-the-half-way-mark/ |title= Deliveries of Enstrom 480 to Royal Thai Army pass the half-way mark |publisher= helihub.com |date=12 February 2012|accessdate=12 February 2013}}

;{{VEN}}

• Venezuelan Air Force{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= FlightGlobal |date= 4 December 2020 |access-date= 10 August 2021}}

;{{ZAM}}

• Zambian Air Force - two on order (April 2023){{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/enstrom-inks-deal-for-two-helicopters-with-zambias-air-force/|title= Enstrom Inks Deal For Two Helicopters With Zambia's Air Force|access-date= 25 April 2023 |last= Phelps|first= Mark|work= AVweb |date= 24 April 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230425113212/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/enstrom-inks-deal-for-two-helicopters-with-zambias-air-force/|archive-date= 25 April 2023|url-status= live}}

; {{CAN}}

• York Regional Police 2000-2002. One aircraft, retired due to excessive noise.{{cite web|url= https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/1436949-york-regional-police-extends-helicopter-contract-with-vaughan-firm|title= York Regional Police extends helicopter contract with Vaughan firm|access-date= 23 March 2023|last= Fantauzzi|first= Joe|work= Aurora Banner|date= 6 July 2012|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230323140411/https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/1436949-york-regional-police-extends-helicopter-contract-with-vaughan-firm/|archive-date= 23 March 2023|url-status= live}}/

;{{EST}}

• Police and Border Guard Aviation Group{{cite web |last1=Rudi |first1=Hanneli |title=Politsei sai ohtralt peavalu põhjustanud kopterist lahti |url=https://www.postimees.ee/4508320/politsei-sai-ohtralt-peavalu-pohjustanud-kopterist-lahti |website=www.postimees.ee |date=23 June 2018 |accessdate=23 June 2018 |language=et}}

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004Frawley Civil 2003. p.

|prime units? = imp

|crew= one

|capacity= four passengers

|length m= 9.09

|length ft= 29

|length in= 10

|rot number= 1

|rot dia m= 9.75

|rot dia ft= 32

|rot dia in= 0

|height m= 2.92

|height ft= 9

|height in= 7

|rot area sqm= 74.7

|rot area sqft= 804

|empty weight kg= 760

|empty weight lb= 1,675

|gross weight kg= 1,293

|gross weight lb= 2850

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name= Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20W turboshaft

|eng1 kw= 215

|eng1 hp= 285

|cruise speed kmh= 211

|range km= 700

|range miles= 435

|ceiling m= 3,962

|ceiling ft= 13,000

|climb rate ms= 7.62

|climb rate ftmin= 1,500

}}

{{aircontent

|related=

• Enstrom F-28
• Enstrom 280

|similar aircraft=

• Robinson R66
• Schweizer S-333
• Schweizer S-434

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/65e42b7767c7d6c7862574e5007352f9/$FILE/H1CE.pdf Federal Aviation Authority Type Certificate No.H1CE]
• {{cite book |last= Frawley|first= Gerard|title=The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004 |year= 2003 |publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd |location= Fyshwick, ACT, Australia |isbn=1-875671-58-7 |pages=44 }}

{{commons category|Enstrom 480}}

• [https://enstromhelicopter.com/helicopters/turbine-480b/ Enstrom 480B product page]
• [http://www.helis.com/Since80s/h_esf28.php Enstrom page on The Helicopter History site]
• [http://www.rotor-ukraine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=24 Enstrom in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923002010/http://www.rotor-ukraine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=24 |date=2013-09-23 }}

{{Enstrom aircraft}}

Category:Enstrom aircraft

Category:1980s United States civil utility aircraft

Category:1980s United States helicopters

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1989