Enstrom 480
| Enstrom 480 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Small helicopters |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1989 |
| Commissioning: |
1994 |
| Production time: |
since 1994 |
| Number of pieces: |
approx. 130 |
The Enstrom 480 is a five-seater, single-engine helicopter of the US company Enstrom Helicopter Corporation with turbine drive .
history
The United States Army was looking for a new training helicopter for the years 1989-1993 United States Army Aviation School in Fort Rucker in the US state of Alabama , in order to come into the years UH-1 to be replaced, and initiated the tendering for a new helicopter under the name NTH (New Training Helicopter) .
As early as 1988 Enstrom carried out market analyzes and design studies for a turbine-powered, larger helicopter and took part in this tender along with other manufacturers (including Swiss Aircraft Corporation , Bell Helicopter , Aérospatiale ) for up to 200 pieces. As a basis which served Enstrom 280 FX, which has a 250 Allison -C20W- shaft turbine instead of Lycoming - piston engine received. The cabin was enlarged, three seats were installed, two seats in the front with double control devices (teacher / student) and one seat in the back. In addition, the instrument panel was enlarged, the rotor diameter increased, aerodynamic optimizations carried out, larger horizontal and vertical vertical stabilizers installed and, among other things, a larger landing gear designed. In this configuration it was possible to train two trainee pilots for IFR and VFR at the same time.
This prototype ( N 8631E) flew for the first time on October 7, 1989 and was approved by the FAA according to FAR Part 27 on September 11, 1992 . The then CEO of Enstrom, Robert M. "Bob" Tuttle, confirmed a total price of 91 million US dollars for 157 pieces of the TH-28. The contract was awarded to the Bell TH-67 in 1993 , of which 137 units were ordered.
The project was continued as a civilian variant under the name Enstrom 480, whereby the instrument panel was reduced in size and the double control device can be removed. A luggage room was also installed. For the standard equipment of the Enstrom 480, the original price was around 460,000 US dollars in 1994, around 800,000 in 2009 and around 1,070,000 US dollars in 2011.
construction
As with all Enstrom helicopters, the swashplate , which is protected from environmental influences, is not visible from the outside under the main gearbox. The rotor blades are controlled by push rods through the hollow rotor mast. The fully articulated 3- journal - main rotor is running in all-metal, and as a torque compensation is a 2-sheet tail rotor . The spacious cabin of the Enstrom 480 offers space for up to five occupants including the pilot ; the seat configuration can be individually adjusted.
Versions
- TH-28
- Registered September 11, 1992 based on the Enstrom 280 FX, construction number 3001-3006
- 480 (basic model)
- Registered on November 10, 1993, civil series model of the TH-28, construction number from 5000
- 480 (A)
- Registered on August 12, 1996, further development of the 480 basic version with, among other things, increased rotor speed
- 480B
- Registered on February 8, 2001, the 480B has a higher take-off weight than the 480 (from around 1290 kg to 1360 kg), increased engine power (from 289 shp to 305 shp) and an increased payload (from approx. 530 kg to 590 kg ) and, among other things, improved vibration damping.
Technical specifications
(Manufacturer information for the Enstrom 480B)
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| length | 9.2 meters |
| height | 3 meter |
| Rotor diameter | 9.8 meters |
| Width over runners | 2.4 meters |
| Seats | up to 5 (including pilot) |
| Top speed | 230 km / h (124 knots ) |
| Cruising speed | 201 km / h (109 knots) |
| Engine | Allison 250 -C20W shaft turbine |
| Maximum range | 657 km (355 NM ) |
| Service ceiling | 10,000 feet |
| Amount of fuel | Kerosene , 341 liters |
| Empty weight | 826 kilograms |
| Max. Take-off weight | 1,361 kilograms |
| Base price (as of 2009) | USD 800,000 |
Comparable helicopter types
Web links
- Approval of the Enstrom 480 models on the FAA homepage (PDF; 142 kB; English)