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The R.J. Enstrom Corporation, named after its initiator Rudy Enstrom,
was officially organised in 1959 in Menominee, Michigan. Their first
more thoroughly engineered helicopter design was the F-28. The two-seat
prototype of the F-28 was flown first on 12 November 1960, followed by
the first of two three-seat production prototypes on 26 May 1962.
Initial FAA certification was achieved for the F-28 model on 15 April 1965.
The Enstrom F-28 was built in limited quantities. A more powerful
version, the F-28A, was certified on 28 May 1968. This helicopter entered
full rate production, and over 300 helicopters of this model were
manufactured. After ownership of the company changed in January 1971,
the company name was changed into Enstrom Helicopter Corporation. A
collaboration between a Boston industrial design firm and the Enstrom
engineering team yielded a new aerodynamically styled airframe, the 280
Shark. This new model was certified on 13 September 1974 and immediately
put into production. Over the years a number of models were developed
and produced based on the body style of the 280. The single-engine
Enstrom 280C was approved on 8 December 1975. This version of the
three-seat light utility helicopter has an upgraded engine, fitted with
a turbocharger. The Enstrom 280F, similar to 280C with more powerful engine,
improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle correlator, was certified
on 31 December 1980. The turbine-powered model 280FX, based on the 280F in which an Allison 250-C20 turbine engine with the
Enstrom drive train and rotor system was integrated, flew first in December 1988. The Enstrom 280FX was certified on 14 January 1985.
This model 280FX differs from the basic model 280F in that the helicopter is equipped with landing gear fairings, a redesigned inlet airscoop,
tail rotor driveshaft fairings, a redesigned and relocated horizontal stabilizer equipped with vertical endplates, a cockpit annunciator panel,
and a graphic engine monitor.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Enstrom 280FX is EN28. |
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The 1986-built Enstrom 280FX s/n 2012, was registered first in the USA as N213M. On 23 April 1992,
registration N213M was cancelled as exported to the Netherlands. On 22 May 1992, the Enstrom 280FX Shark
was registered PH-JVM with Lambo-Rijssen Kunstoffen BV, Rijssen. On 13 July 1992, the helicopter was registered
with MLM Airservices BV, Stad-Delden. On 7 October 1997, Enstrom 280FX PH-JVM was transferred to Harts Garage, Macclesfield, UK.
On 18 December 1997, registration PH-JVM was cancelled as exported to the UK. On 22 December 1992, the Enstrom was registered G-BXRD in the UK
with G. Firbank, Macclesfield. On 9 June 2000, the G-BXRD was registered with D.A. Marks, Bedford. On 18 December 2001, Enstrom G-BXRD
was registered with S.G. Oliphant-Hope t/a Eastern Atlantic Helicopters, Shoreham Airport. On 5 August 2003, R.P. Bateman, Westerham, was
registered as the next owner of Enstrom G-BXRD. On 28 August 2007, K. Payne and M.A. Stephenson, Peterborough, were registered as owners
of the helicopter. On 7 March 2012, Enstrom 280FX G-BXRD was registered with R.W. Carr, Rugeley, and on 16 March 2012, the helicopter was
re-registered G-RCAR. On 18 October 2012, the helicopter was re-registered G-WPIE with Wrights Pies (Shelton) Ltd., Crewe. On 24 November 2016,
the G-WPIE was registered with N. Ker, Caerphilly. On 12 April 2017, the helicopter was re-registered G-WPKR with the same owner. On 27 July 2019,
Enstrom 280FX G-WPKR was damaged in a landing incident at Tongwynlais, Caerphilly. While conducting a steep approach to a private landing site,
the helicopter overshot the helipad and finally landed on a fence and some ballast bags, sustaining extensive damage. On 3 October 2019,
registration G-WPKR was cancelled as withdrawn from use. However this was not the end: on 5 December 2019, the Enstrom 280 FX Shark was
registered N229SH by Sharkey Helicopters Inc. in the USA.
On 20 June 1992, Enstrom 280 FX Shark was PH-JVM was seen at Teuge airfield (EHTE),
in service with MLM Airservices. |
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