Enstrom F-28

Since delivering their first helicopter shortly after Federal Aviation Administration type certification of the F-28 model in April 1965, Enstrom helicopter has produced, {{as of|2007|lc=y}}, approximately 1,200 aircraft.[http://www.rotorspot.nl/enstrom.htm Rotorspot.nl: Enstrom Production List] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028110419/http://www.rotorspot.nl/enstrom.htm |date=2010-10-28 }}

The company produces three models, the F-28, the more aerodynamic 280 and the turbine-powered 480, each with their own variants. The F-28 and 280 both use Lycoming piston engines, virtually identical to those found in general aviation fixed-wing aircraft.

File:EnstromF28CSharkC-GRBU.jpg

;F-28

:Initial production version, powered by {{convert|195|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Lycoming HIO-360-A1A or A1B engine. Certified April 1965. 13 built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=94}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|p=1}}

;F-28A

:Improved version with modified gearing to increase effective power to {{convert|205|hp|kW|abbr=on}}. Certified May 1968. 316 built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=94}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|pp=2–3}}

;T-28

:Experimental turbine powered variant. One {{convert|220|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Garrett AiResearch TSE 36-1 engine.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=95}}

;F-28B

:Experimental version of F-28 with turbocharged engine.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=94}}

;F-28C

:Fitted with a {{convert|205|hp|kW|abbr=on}} turbocharged Lycoming HIO-360-E1AD or HIO-360-E1BD engine. Increased gross weight and tail rotor moved from starboard to port side. Certified December 1975. 177 built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|p=4}}

;F-28F Falcon

:Similar to F-28C with {{convert|225|hp|kW|abbr=on}} HIO-360-F1AD engine, improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle correlator. Certified December 1980. 132 built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|p=10}}

;F-27F-P

:Police patrol version.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=95}}

;Spitfire Mark I

:A turbine powered derivative powered by {{convert|420|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Allison 250-C20B engine, built by Spitfire Helicopters Inc. One built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=234}}

;Spitfire Mark II Tigershark

:Further stretched and more powerful derivative of Spitfire I. One built.A turbine powered conversion by Spitfire Helicopters Inc.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|p=234}}

File:GBBPO-F28A.jpg

;280 Shark

:Streamlined fuselage shape, powered by {{convert|205|hp|kW|abbr=on}} HIO-360-C1A or HIO-360-C1B engine. Certified September 1974. 21 built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|p=3}}

;280C Shark

:Shark with turbocharged engine and revised tail rotor of F-28C. Aerodynamically refined version of the F28C-2, equipped with an upgraded engine, fitted with a turbocharger. Certified December 1975. 6 built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|p=5}}

;280L Hawk

:Stretched cabin four-seat version, with {{convert|225|hp|kW|abbr=on}} HIO-360-F1AD engine, first flying in December 1968. Two built.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}} Development halted due to lack of funds.{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}}

;280F

:Similar to 280C with modifications of F-28F. Certified December 1980. 132 built as of 1998{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|p=10}}

;280FX

:Based on the 280F with landing gear fairings, redesigned air intakes on top of the cabin and a redesigned and relocated horizontal stabilizer with vertical end plates. Certified in January 1985. 80 built as of 1998.{{sfn|Simpson|1998|pp=94–95}}{{sfn|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE|pp=15–16}}

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

;{{CHL}}

File:EnstromF28FC-GHRS.jpg of Newfoundland and Labrador for training, 1988]]

• Chilean Army{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%203633.html |title= World's Air Forces 1990 pg. 41|publisher= flightglobal.com |date=|access-date=7 March 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/640/ |title=Ejercito de Chile 280FX |publisher= |date=|access-date=7 March 2013}}

;{{COL}}

• Colombian Air Force - 12 F-28F trainers delivered 1994.{{Harvnb|Forster World Air Power Journal Autumn 1997|p=134}}

;{{PER}}

• Peruvian 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= 5 January 2021}}
• Peruvian Army{{cite web |last = |first = |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/emptys/101015/world-air-forces-2013.pdf |title = World_Air_Forces_2013 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2013 |doi = |access-date= 10 March 2013}}
• Peruvian Navy

;{{USA}}

• Pasadena Police Department{{cite web|url= http://policehelicopterpilot.com/police-sheriff-aviation-units/california-pasadena-police-department-air-operations.html |title= California, Pasadena Police Department Air Operations |publisher= policehelicopterpilot.com |date=|access-date=7 March 2013}}

;{{VEN}}

• Venezuelan Air Force{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/|title = World Air Forces 2018 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2018 |doi = |access-date= 4 August 2018}}

• On 22 October 1986, an Enstrom F-28F Falcon suffered a mechanical failure at an altitude of {{convert|75|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} over Manhattan in New York City due to the installation of an improper clutch, struck a fence, and crashed into the Hudson River during a traffic report by WNBC 660 AM radio flying traffic reporter Jane Dornacker. The broadcast captured her shouting "Hit the water! Hit the water! Hit the water!" as the helicopter went down. The pilot survived with serious injuries, but Dornacker died on the way to the hospital.[http://www.planecrashinfo.com/famous1980s.htm planecrashinfo.com Famous People Who Died in Aviation Accidents: 1980s]
• On 26 January 2015, an Enstrom 280FX crashed at Erie, Colorado, following the separation of its main rotor blades, killing both the student and instructor on board. The accident was caused by a failure of the main rotor spindle as a result of a crack. The accident resulted in the issuance of an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) by the United States Federal Aviation Administration on 12 February 2015 grounding more than 300 helicopters. The AD requires a magnetic particle inspection to detect cracks in the main rotor spindle in aircraft with more than 5,000 hours and requires replacing the spindle if cracked.{{cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Issues-Emergency-AD-For-Enstrom-Helicopters-223559-1.html|title = FAA Issues Emergency AD For Enstrom Helicopters|access-date = 16 February 2015|last = Kauh |first = Elaine |date = 13 February 2015| work = AVweb}}
• On 1 December 2023 an Enstrom 280FX crashed into a car on a Madrid motorway, leaving three people injured.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=Helicopter crashes onto busy Madrid motorway and hits car |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/helicopter-crash-motorway-madrid-car-b2456756.html |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

{{Aircraft specs

| ref=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory{{sfn|Taylor|1999|p=356}}

|prime units?=kts

|crew=one

|capacity=two passengers

|length ft=29

|length in=3

|length note=

|height ft=9

|height in=0

|height note=

|empty weight lb=1570

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb=

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb=2600

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD

|eng1 type= four-cylinder, direct-drive, horizontally opposed, air-cooled, piston aircraft engine

|eng1 hp=225

|eng1 note=

|rot number=1

|rot dia ft=32

|rot dia in=0

|rot area sqft=804

|rot area note=NACA 0013.5

|max speed kts=97

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kts=89

|cruise speed note=(econ cruise)

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|range nmi=241

|range note=

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=3 hr 30 min

|ceiling ft=12000

|ceiling note=

|climb rate ftmin=1450

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|disk loading lb/sqft=

|disk loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|power/mass=

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

{{Aircontent

| related=

• Enstrom TH180
• Enstrom 480
• Spitfire Mark I

| similar aircraft=

• Brantly B-2
• Robinson R22
• Robinson R44
• Schweizer 300C

| lists=

| see also=

}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web |url=https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DRSDOCID175621106920241008134228.0001?modalOpened=true |title=Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE, Revision 43 |date=October 1, 2024 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=May 3, 2025 |ref={{harvid|Type Certificate Sheet No. H1CE}}}}
• {{cite magazine |last1=Elliott|first1=Bryn|title=On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two|magazine=Air Enthusiast|date=May–June 1999|issue=81|pages=64–69 |issn=0143-5450}}
• {{cite magazine |last=Foster |first=Peter R. |title=Air Power Analysis: Part One: Columbia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela |magazine=World Air Power Journal |date=Autumn 1997 |volume=30 |pages=132–157 |issn=0959-7050 |isbn=1-86184-004-7 |ref={{harvid|Forster World Air Power Journal Autumn 1997}} }}
• {{cite book |last=Simpson |first=R. W. |title=Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft |year=1998 |location=Shrewsbury, UK |publisher=Airlide Publishing Ltd. |isbn=1-85310-968-1}}
• {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=M. J. H. |title = Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition |year = 1999 |location=London |publisher = Brassey's |isbn = 1-85753-245-7 }}

{{Commons category|Enstrom F-28}}

{{Commons category|Enstrom 280}}

• [https://enstromhelicopter.com/helicopters/piston-f-28f-280fx/ Enstrom Piston F-28F & 280FX page]
• [http://www.helis.com/Since80s/h_esf28.php Enstrom page on The Helicopter History site]

{{Enstrom aircraft}}

Category:Enstrom aircraft

Category:1960s United States civil utility aircraft

Category:1960s United States helicopters

Category:Single-engined piston helicopters

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1965