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Enstrom F-28
Light, piston-powered helicopter family From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Enstrom F-28 and 280 are a family of small, light piston engine powered helicopters produced by the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.[1]
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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[update], 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]
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Variants
F-28
- F-28
- Initial production version, powered by 195 hp (145 kW) Lycoming HIO-360-A1A or A1B engine. Certified April 1965. 13 built.[3][4]
- F-28A
- Improved version with modified gearing to increase effective power to 205 hp (153 kW). Certified May 1968. 316 built.[3][5]
- T-28
- Experimental turbine powered variant. One 220 shp (160 kW) Garrett AiResearch TSE 36-1 engine.[1][6]
- F-28B
- Experimental version of F-28 with turbocharged engine.[1][3]
- F-28C
- Fitted with a 205 hp (153 kW) 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.[7][8]
- F-28F Falcon
- Similar to F-28C with 225 hp (168 kW) HIO-360-F1AD engine, improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle correlator. Certified December 1980. 132 built.[7][9]
- F-27F-P
- Police patrol version.[6]
- Spitfire Mark I
- A turbine powered derivative powered by 420 shp (310 kW) Allison 250-C20B engine, built by Spitfire Helicopters Inc. One built.[10]
- Spitfire Mark II Tigershark
- Further stretched and more powerful derivative of Spitfire I. One built.A turbine powered conversion by Spitfire Helicopters Inc.[10]
280
- 280 Shark
- Streamlined fuselage shape, powered by 205 hp (153 kW) HIO-360-C1A or HIO-360-C1B engine. Certified September 1974. 21 built.[7][11]
- 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.[7][12]
- 280L Hawk
- Stretched cabin four-seat version, with 225 hp (168 kW) HIO-360-F1AD engine, first flying in December 1968. Two built.[7] Development halted due to lack of funds.[citation needed]
- 280F
- Similar to 280C with modifications of F-28F. Certified December 1980. 132 built as of 1998[7][7][9]
- 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.[7][13]
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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
- Colombian Air Force - 12 F-28F trainers delivered 1994.[16]
Accidents and incidents
- On 22 October 1986, an Enstrom F-28F Falcon suffered a mechanical failure at an altitude of 75 feet (23 meters) 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.[21]
- 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.[22]
- On 1 December 2023 an Enstrom 280FX crashed into a car on a Madrid motorway, leaving three people injured.[23]
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Specifications (F28F)
Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory[24]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: two passengers
- Length: 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
- Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
- Empty weight: 1,570 lb (712 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,600 lb (1,179 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD four-cylinder, direct-drive, horizontally opposed, air-cooled, piston aircraft engine, 225 hp (168 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
- Main rotor area: 804 sq ft (74.7 m2) NACA 0013.5
Performance
- Maximum speed: 97 kn (112 mph, 180 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 89 kn (102 mph, 165 km/h) (econ cruise)
- Range: 241 nmi (277 mi, 446 km)
- Endurance: 3 hr 30 min
- Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,450 ft/min (7.4 m/s)
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See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Bibliography
External links
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