Thirty Of The Helicopters Are Flying For The Japanese Ground Self Defense Force As Trainers

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has granted Type Certificate Number 74 to Enstrom Helicopter for the company's Model 480B aircraft. The application was initially submitted to the JCAB on May 17, 2012.

On October 22, 2012, two JCAB officials, accompanied by Mr. Mitsuo Hattori, Enstrom’s representative from Aero Facility in Tokyo, Japan, visited Enstrom’s facility for an Initial Familiarization meeting. There was also one FAA official in attendance to support Enstrom with certification efforts. The Initial Familiarization meeting lasted four days, during which the JCAB officials made a rigorous inspection of the Enstrom facility and its practices.
 
William Taylor, Director of Engineering, led the initial presentations, which included company overview and its history, certification history, and a 480B overview. “It was a pleasure working together with the JCAB and the FAA to achieve this,” said Taylor. “We feel it is a real accomplishment and look forward to entering the civilian market in Japan.”  While here, the officials took a tour of the facilities and a flight in a 480B helicopter with Taylor. Technical discussions went on for three days.

Dialogue was exchanged from November 2012 through March 2013 to ensure the Japanese translated Rotorcraft Flight Manual and Japanese dedicated Rotorcraft Supplement, as well as the Japanese translated placards, met the certification requirements.
 
“Enstrom has enjoyed a lot of success in Japan over the years, including a recent sale of 30 480B helicopters to the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force for training,” said Dennis Martin, International Sales and Program Manager.  “With the civil type certification of the 480B now complete, we look forward to building upon that success.  We feel the 480B’s combination of low cost of ownership, versatility, and excellent safety record, along with the JGSDF pedigree, will make it very popular with commercial operators, flight schools, and private owners in Japan.”

(Images provided by Enstrom)

FMI: www.enstromhelicopter.com