Enstrom F-28
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| F-28/280/480 | |
|---|---|
 Enstrom 280FX Shark, an aerodynamically restyled Enstrom F-28 for the corporate market |
|
| Type | Light helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Enstrom Helicopter |
| Introduced | 1965 |
| Produced | 1965-present |
| Number built | over 1,200 |
The F-28, 280, and 480 are a family of small, light helicopters, produced by the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.[1]
Contents |
[edit] 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) approx 1,200 aircraft.[citation needed]
The company produces three models, the F-28, the more aerodynamic 280 and the turbine-engined 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]
[edit] Operational history
[edit] Variants
[edit] F-28
- F-28
- Certified April 1965.[citation needed]
- F-28A
- Initial production version. Certified May 1968[1]
- 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]
- F-28C-2
- Fitted with a more rounded cabin, a single piece windsrceen and new console.[citation needed]
- F-28F Falcon
- Improved version fitted with an upgraded engine. Certified December 1980[1]
- F-27F-P
- Police patrol version developed for the Pasadena Police Department. It is equipped with searchlights, FLIR and a PA system.[citation needed]
[edit] 280
This model was a huge design success, with a Boston-based design firm concluding a brief to make the F28 more commercially appealing. This resulted in the 280 later being named by Fortune (magazine) as one of the 25 best factory-made products in the United States.[citation needed]
- 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
- Fitted with an upgraded engine. Certified December 1980.[citation needed]
- 280FX
- Externally these can be distinguished by the air intakes on top of the cabin and the end-plates on the horizontal stabilizers. It was also fitted with new seats, new tailplane and faired landing gear.{Fact|date=January 2008}}
[edit] Spitfire Mk 1
This version was developed by the Spitfire Helicopter Company, of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, USA. The Spitfire Mk 1 is powered by a 313-kW (420-shp) Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine.[citation needed]
[edit] 480
This turbine engined variant started life as the TH-28 in response to the United States Army NTH New Training Helicopter requirement, and was further developed into a product the company was able to sell into the civilian marketplace. It features the C20W variant of the Rolls-Royce Model 250 engine.[citation needed]
- 480
- Initial civial version. Certified in November 1993[citation needed]
- 480B
- Enhanced and more powerful version. Certified in February 2001. The gross weight and useful load were increased by approximately 150 pounds.[citation needed]
- TH-28
- Military training, light patrol version.
[edit] Operators
Sales of Enstrom helicopters have historically been targeted at the civil market. However, there have been some notable exceptions with orders of 10 or more units to the military forces and law enforcement operators.[citation needed]
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Law enforcement operators
- Indonesian National Police
- Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
- Pasadena Police Department - (1960's to date)
[edit] Specifications (F28F)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: Two passengers
- Length: 29 ft 3 in (8.91 m)
- Rotor diameter: 32 ft (9.75 m)
- Height: 9 ft (2.74 m)
- Disc area: 804 ft² (74.7 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,570 lb (712 kg)
- Loaded weight: lb (kg)
- Useful load: 1,030 lb (467 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,600 lb (1,179 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Textron Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD piston engine, 225 hp (168 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 97 knots (112 mph, 180 km/h) (max cruise)
- Cruise speed: 89 knots (102mph, 164 km/h)
- Range: 241 nm (277 mi, 446 km)
- Service ceiling 12,000 ft (3,660 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,450 ft/min (7.37 m/s)
- Disc loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (W/kg)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
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