On 27 Jan 2004 16:40:04 GMT, (JIM105) wrote:

I want a personal helicopter for me mostly. My wife will go about 25%
opf the time.

I'd like to land it at 10,000 feet msl if it will do it, no big loads,
just some groceries.

How much do they cost and what is the TBO? What should I look for?

I'm serious. I was just about to buy a Robbie, but-damn, the envelope
is so tight on that ship. However, the thing I don't like about the
Enstrom is the way they buzz that engine, the probability of an engine
failure, etc. I like the idea of a turbo, but how does it cool?

Thank you for anything you can tell me or for directing me to some
people who know


You will never operate an Enstrom for the same price as a Robbi. On the other
hand, the Enstrom is much more versatile. the F28F can carry three in a pinch
(you will be good friends by the end of the flight though). The ride quality
is good and the autorotations are the best of any piston except the Bell 47.

I haven't flown one in probably 15 years, but as far as 10,000 feet, I'd look
hard at the performance numbers of any piston helicopter. The lamiflex
bearings were a hassle, although I think Enstrom has a new system these days.
Engine does tend to work hard and I don't remember seeing many go to TBO.

All in all I really enjoyed flying them. Of course the key to it is to find a
mechanic that knows Enstroms in your area. It can make or break your
experience.

Jim

That's interesting Jim. Thanks for the input. I know they suck the
guts out of that piston engine, but I hear the flying characteristics
are superb. What I like about the R-22 is the lack of maintenace and
the engine is so derated it probably won't ever fail. But, if it
does, then you better be spring loaded to get that collective bottomed
in 1 second or you are toast. All of this is a toss up. In the
Enstrom buzzing that O-360 and demanding 220 hp out of an engine
designed for 160 hp worries me, especially in a helo.

What do you know about the turbine ship? The 480 is it? Anybody got
any experience with that baby?

BWB