Mon, Mar 01, 2010
16 Aircraft To Fill Training, SAR, Other Missions
Enstrom Helicopter is providing additional details about their
sale of 16 480B advanced turbine training helicopters to
the Royal Thai Army. The 480B was selected in a competitive
bidding process that included aircraft from 7 different major
manufacturers. In October Enstrom hosted a delegation of
officials from the Royal Thai Army led by Major General Pittaya
Krachangwong, who came to Menominee to inspect Enstrom's
manufacturing facilities and fly the different models of Enstrom
helicopters.
Enstrom 480B File Photo
"We couldn't be more excited to be working with the Royal Thai
Army," said Jerry Mullins, Enstrom's President and CEO. "The
480B turbine helicopter was originally designed for military
instruction, and although it has had great success in the
commercial market, it's nice to see it being recognized as a great
training ship as well. The Royal Thai Army's visit has given
them the confidence to go forward with Enstrom, now and in the
future."
Along with General Pittaya, 3 other experienced Royal Thai Army
pilots flew the Enstrom 480B and piston powered F28F. "The
said it was almost too easy to fly," commented David Blake of Blake
& DeJong Ltd., Enstrom's Managing Representative in Asia.
"None of them have ever flown the 480B before, but they were able
to take the controls and immediately felt comfortable enough to fly
a number of maneuvers. This will be a great training
helicopter for the Royal Thai Army."
Enstrom 480B Panel File
Photo
Beyond just training, the Royal Thai Army intends to use their
new 480B's for a number of missions. "Avionics-wise, these
new 480B's are going to be some of more advanced aircraft in the
Royal Thai Army's inventory," said Enstrom's Director of Sales
& Marketing, Tracy Biegler. "When we explained to the
Royal Thai Army firsthand some of the features and capabilities of
the EFIS system and the tactical radios, it really opened their
eyes. These aircraft will have the ability to do a lot more
than just training, such as search and rescue, surveillance, and
disaster relief. The Royal Thai Army is definitely going to
utilize the flexibility built into the 480B design."
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