… by the Circuitous Path

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, the American helicopter aerospace manufacturer based on Michigan’s Menominee–Marinette Twin County Airport (MNM), announced on 14 February 2023 that its new era of growth and expansion—instantiated by the 30 January maiden flight of the first new 480B turbine-powered helicopter produced in over a year—would be overseen by Enstrom veteran Todd Tetzlaff, who returns, after many years and much success, to take up the company’s presidency.

Tetzlaff’s association with Enstrom began more than three decades ago when he passed a college summer working in the Menominee factory’s engineering department. Upon graduation, Tetzlaff remained with Enstrom, assisting in the design of a new Tension-Torsion (T-T) strap—a component that provides critical main rotor-blade attachment and pitch movement.

In time, Tetzlaff left Enstrom, taking engineering positions at Boeing and Raytheon, but remaining in touch with his Menominee roots.

In the early 2000s, Tetzlaff returned to Enstrom for a seven-year hitch, during which he worked as the concern’s flight test engineering manager.

Departing again, Tetzlaff spent the next 15 years developing his leadership skills at storied aerospace marque Gulfstream, where he most recently functioned in the capacity of project certification specialist.

Mr. Tetzlaff’s 2023 return to Menominee was occasioned by his regard for new Enstrom owner Chuck Surack, whose passion for helicopters Tetzlaff described as “contagious.”

“Chuck is committed to moving the company forward,” Tetzlaff asserted. “It is great to be back with my Enstrom family.”

Outgoing Enstrom president Matt Francour set forth: “I think Todd is the perfect choice to lead Enstrom into this new era. He not only brings extensive aviation knowledge and experience, but also a deep love for and history with the company.”

Mr. Francour intends to retire in April 2023, at which time Tetzlaff will assume Enstrom’s presidency. “Matt has mentored me ever since I first arrived at Enstrom,” Tetzlaff remarked. “His guidance has been invaluable as I prepare to take the lead, and I am forever grateful.”

Tetzlaff stated he is thrilled to see Enstrom’s current product line reenergized with full glass instrument panels, crash-resistant fuel systems, new interiors, new paint options, and additional improvements.

“Enstrom has a rich history going back more than sixty-years,” Tetzlaff enthused. “There’s something to be said about that in this industry. Many great aircraft companies have come and gone in that time. We are still here, and we plan to be for a very long time.”

Enstrom Helicopters was founded in 1957 by mining engineer Rudolph J. "Rudy" Enstrom, who based his young company at Michigan’s Menominee–Marinette Twin County Airport (MNM). The company's first product was 1965’s piston-engined F-28. Rudy Enstrom—who knew little of helicopter design and was sustained to an extensive degree by outside aerospace experts and generous investors—was removed from his own company by the time the F-28 debuted. His surname remains Rudy’s only enduring contribution to the Enstrom enterprise. 

Between 1965 and 2011, Enstrom built over 1,100 helicopters in both piston and turbine iterations. Throughout those decades, the company offered three models: the F-28, the more aerodynamic 280, and the turbine-powered 480—each with its own variants.

A hallmark of Enstrom's designs is the lack of exposed main-rotor pitch-change-linkages. Contrary to convention, subject mechanisms are housed within the aircraft’s hollow main-rotor shaft. The unique architecture reduces aerodynamic drag, and renders the linkages less susceptible to external hazards the likes of bird-strike, powerlines, or FOD.

In January 2022 Enstrom declared bankruptcy due to what the company’s management described as “several financial difficulties.” Technical support for Enstrom customers ceased, and the Menominee factory was shuttered. At the time of its closure the company employed only thirty workers.

In May 2022 Surack Enterprises purchased Enstrom.

Years prior to adding Enstrom to his portfolio, Chuck Surack had learned to fly helicopters in an Enstrom 280. Impressed with the machine and the company by which it had been built, Surack purchased a 480.

Of Enstrom as a whole, Surack remarked: “When the company became available, I knew how good the employees were … it’s the safest helicopter in the world. If you look at the safety record it’s really, really safe, and I just knew there was an opportunity to improve the company and restore it, and take it on to the next level.”

FMI: www.enstromhelicopter.com