Enstrom F-28

Last updated
F-28 / 280
Enstrom 280FX Shark Geelong Creek.jpg
Enstrom 280FX Shark
General information
TypeLight helicopter
Manufacturer Enstrom Helicopter Corporation
History
Manufactured1965-present
Introduction date1965
Variants Enstrom TH180
Spitfire Mark I
Developed into Enstrom 480

The Enstrom F-28 and 280 are a family of small, light piston engine powered helicopters produced by the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation. [1]

Contents

Design and development

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, approximately 1,200 aircraft. [2]

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. [1]

Variants

F-28

An Enstrom F-28C on inflatable floats, 1986 EnstromF28CSharkC-GRBU.jpg
An Enstrom F-28C on inflatable floats, 1986
F-28
Certified April 1965. [1] [3]
F-28A
Initial production version. Certified May 1968. [1] [3]
T-28
Turbine powered. [1]
F-28B
Turbocharged version. [1]
F-28C
Fitted with an upgraded engine with turbocharger, and a two piece windscreen. Certified 1975 [1] [3]
F-28F Falcon
Similar to F-28C with more powerful engine, improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle corellator. Certified December 1980 [1] [3]
F-27F-P
Police patrol version developed for the Pasadena Police Department (California). It is equipped with searchlights, FLIR and a public address system.[ citation needed ]
Spitfire Mark I
A turbine powered conversion by Spitfire Helicopters Inc.[ citation needed ]
Spitfire Mark II Tigershark
A turbine powered conversion by Spitfire Helicopters Inc.[ citation needed ]

280

1973 model F-28A GBBPO-F28A.jpg
1973 model F-28A
280 Shark
Certified September 1975. [1]
280C Shark
Aerodynamically refined version of the F28C-2, equipped with an upgraded engine, fitted with a turbocharger. Certified 1975 [1]
280L Hawk
Stretched cabin four-seat version, first flying in December 1968. Development halted due to lack of funds.[ citation needed ]
280F
Similar to 280C with more powerful engine, improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle correlator. Certified December 1980 [3]
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 [3]

Operators

Civil operators

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

Military and government operators

Flag of Chile.svg  Chile
Enstrom F-28F used by Universal Helicopters of Newfoundland and Labrador for training, 1988 EnstromF28FC-GHRS.jpg
Enstrom F-28F used by Universal Helicopters of Newfoundland and Labrador for training, 1988
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela

Accidents and incidents

Specifications (F28F)

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory [14]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Apostolo, Giorgio: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters, pages 64-65. Bonanza Books, New York, 1984. ISBN   0-517-43935-2
  2. Rotorspot.nl: Enstrom Production List Archived 2010-10-28 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 FAA Type Certificate
  4. "World's Air Forces 1990 pg. 41". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  5. "Ejercito de Chile 280FX" . Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  6. Forster World Air Power Journal Autumn 1997 , p. 134
  7. "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  8. 1 2 "World_Air_Forces_2013" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  9. "California, Pasadena Police Department Air Operations". policehelicopterpilot.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  10. "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  11. planecrashinfo.com Famous People Who Died in Aviation Accidents: 1980s
  12. Kauh, Elaine (13 February 2015). "FAA Issues Emergency AD For Enstrom Helicopters". AVweb. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  13. "Helicopter crashes onto busy Madrid motorway and hits car". The Independent. 2023-12-01. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  14. Taylor, M J H, ed. (1999). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. Brassey's. ISBN   1-85753-245-7.
  15. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography