Enstrom F-28

infobox Aircraft
name = F-28/280/480
type = Light helicopter
manufacturer = Enstrom Helicopter

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caption = Enstrom 280FX Shark, an aerodynamically restyled Enstrom F-28 for the corporate market
designer =
first flight =
introduced = 1965
introduction=
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced = 1965-present
number built = over 1,200
unit cost =
developed from =
variants with their own articles =

The F-28, 280, and 480 are a family of small, light helicopters, produced by the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.Apostolo, Giorgio: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters", pages 64-65. Bonanza Books, New York, 1984. ISBN 0-517-439352]

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.Fact|date=January 2008

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.

Operational history

Variants

F-28

;F-28:Certified April 1965.Fact|date=January 2008;F-28A :Initial production version. Certified May 1968;T-28 :Turbine powered.;F-28B :Turbocharged version.;F-28C :Fitted with an upgraded engine with turbocharger, and a two piece windscreen. Certified 1975;F-28C-2 :Fitted with a more rounded cabin, a single piece windsrceen and new console.Fact|date=January 2008;F-28F Falcon:Improved version fitted with an upgraded engine. Certified December 1980;F-27F-P :Police patrol version developed for the Pasadena Police Department. It is equipped with searchlights, FLIR and a PA system. Fact|date=January 2008

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.Fact|date=January 2008;280 Shark :Certified September 1975.;280C Shark :Aerodynamically refined version of the F28C-2, equipped with an upgraded engine, fitted with a turbocharger. Certified 1975;280L Hawk :Stretched cabin four-seat version, first flying in December 1968. Development halted due to lack of funds.Fact|date=January 2008;280F :Fitted with an upgraded engine. Certified December 1980.Fact|date=January 2008;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

pitfire 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.Fact|date=January 2008

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.Fact|date=January 2008;480:Initial civial version. Certified in November 1993Fact|date=January 2008;480B :Enhanced and more powerful version. Certified in February 2001. The gross weight and useful load were increased by approximately 150 pounds.Fact|date=January 2008;TH-28:Military training, light patrol version.

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.Fact|date=January 2008

Military operators

;CHI
* Chilean Air Force;COL
* Colombian National Army;PER
* Peruvian Army - 5 units
* Peruvian Navy - 6 units ordered [ [http://www.skycontrol.net/helicopters/enstrom-helicopter-corp-completes-training-of-the-peruvian-navy/ Skycontrol.net: Enstrom Helicopter Corp. Completes Training of the Peruvian Navy] ] in January, 2008;VEN
* Venezuelan Air Force

Law enforcement operators

;IDN
* Indonesian National Police;THA
* Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives;USA
* Pasadena Police Department - (1960's to date)

pecifications (F28F)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop
ref=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directorycite book |last=Taylor|first=M J H (editor) | title = Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition | year = 1999 | publisher = Brassey's | isbn = 1 85753 245 7 ]

crew=One
capacity=Two passengers
length main= 29 ft 3 in
length alt= 8.91 m
span main= 32 ft
span alt= 9.75 m
height main= 9 ft
height alt= 2.74 m
area main= 804 ft²
area alt= 74.7 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1,570 lb
empty weight alt= 712 kg
loaded weight main= lb
loaded weight alt= kg
useful load main= 1,030 lb
useful load alt= 467 kg
max takeoff weight main= 2,600 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 1,179 kg
more general=
engine (prop)=Textron Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD
type of prop=piston engine
number of props=1
power main= 225 hp
power alt= 168 kW
power original=
max speed main= 97 knots
max speed alt= 112 mph, 180 km/h
max speed more= (max cruise)
cruise speed main= 89 knots
cruise speed alt= 102mph, 164 km/h
cruise speed more (econ cruise)
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main= 241 nm
range alt= 277 mi, 446 km
ceiling main= 12,000 ft
ceiling alt= 3,660 m
climb rate main= 1,450 ft/min
climb rate alt= 7.37 m/s
loading main= lb/ft²
loading alt= kg/m²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= hp/lb
power/mass alt= W/kg
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

References

External links

* [http://www.enstromhelicopter.com Enstrom Helicopter Corp website]
* [http://www.helis.com/Since80s/h_esf28.php Enstrom page on The Helicopter History site]

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=
*Brantly B-2
*Schweizer 300C
*Robinson R22
*Robinson R44
sequence=
* F28 - 280 - 480
lists=
see also=