Rebounding Company Announces Shiny New Base Configuration for Popular Helicopters

Enstrom Helicopters has made the jump into the 21st century, now building all 480GB and 280FX helicopters with G500H Txi EFIS displays at minimum.

The base configuration replaces traditional 'steam' gauges, granting a weight bonus and reliability increase along with a boost to situational awareness and safety. 

Bill Taylor, Enstrom’s VP of Engineering, said the Txi unit was found to be better than slightly older, manual panels. “Its touch screen interface makes it much quicker and more intuitive to use than the old button and knob systems. That’s less head down and hands off the controls time for increased safety, and quicker training.” Riding alongside the G500 is a Mid-Continent SAM to provide redundant flight instrumentation in a small footprint.

The new layout includes a Howell digital engine instrument system, which includes all the usual engine parameters with the airframe Caution and Advisory System (CAS). The new EIS layout provides more information than before while providing a measure of added redundancy, allowing reversionary mode when needed.

Enstrom finished off the avionics shopping trip, adding in the GTN 750 and 650 TXi to provide transponder and audio functionality. “The ability for the avionics to interface with each other and utilize remote options saves panel space and simplifies operations,” added Taylor. “And the new systems data log, which will make maintenance technician’s jobs much easier.”

The new layout will be available on all new 2023 model Enstrom helicopters, with additional upgrades available. 

FMI: www.enstromhelicopter.com