Enstrom Helicopter Corporation

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation designs, manufactures and assembles helicopters, describing itself as having over 65 years of experience and being based in Menominee, Michigan. Its fleet includes the 480B Elite, 480B Turbine, 480B Trainer, F28F Piston and 280FX, and its aircraft are used for training, military, law enforcement, commercial and private missions. The company traces its origins to Rudy Enstrom's earliest designs in 1943 and was officially founded in 1959. In May 2022 Chuck Surack, founder of music retailer Sweetwater, purchased Enstrom.

Enstrom's history begins with Rudy Enstrom, an iron mine mechanic, who started his journey in aviation in 1943 and in 1957 successfully tested his homebuilt helicopter in a quarry in Crystal Falls, Michigan. The company was officially founded in 1959 and grew to international acclaim. Its F28F Falcon, introduced in 1980, served police forces, agricultural sprayers, training organizations, utility workers, private fliers and wildlife conservationists. The 480 series of turbine helicopters was introduced upon FAA certification in November 1993. Deliveries included 18 480Bs to the Indonesian National Police in 2004, 30 480Bs to the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force in 2010, and 10 480Bs to the Royal Thai Army in 2011. In May 2022 Chuck Surack, founder of music retailer Sweetwater, purchased Enstrom.

A unique line of aircraft designed with safety, value, and flexibility in mind; an industry-wide symbol of safety, innovation, and performance.

• 480B Elite

  Part of the Enstrom fleet.

• 480B Turbine

  Part of the Enstrom fleet.

• 480B Trainer

  Part of the Enstrom fleet.

• F28F Piston

  Introduced in 1980 as the workhorse of the Enstrom fleet.

• 280FX

  Part of the Enstrom fleet.

• 2022.01.21

  Reported2022.01.24

  Enstrom Helicopter closes its factory[5]Enstrom Helicopter关闭工厂flyingmag.com

  Enstrom Helicopter Corp. closed its factory on January 21, ending operations for the company.

• Unconfirmed

  Reported2022.01.20

  Enstrom Helicopter declares bankruptcy[6]Enstrom Helicopter 宣布破产verticalmag.com

  Enstrom Helicopter Corp. declared bankruptcy, citing financial difficulties, and said it would close its doors on Jan. 21.

Read more

1. 1Enstrom Helicopter: Masters of Our Craftenstromhelicopter.com
2. 2History - Enstrom Helicopter Corporationenstromhelicopter.com
3. 3About Us - Enstrom Helicopter Corporationenstromhelicopter.com
4. 4Latest News - Enstrom Helicopter Corporationenstromhelicopter.com
5. 5Enstrom Helicopter关闭工厂flyingmag.com
6. 6Enstrom Helicopter 宣布破产verticalmag.com