480 Series Helo Mod Already FAA Approved

Enstrom Helicopter Corp. has upgraded the air conditioning unit in its 480 model series of helicopters. FAA certification for the unit was granted late last year.

“The condenser bypass makes this system more efficient than most of our competitors’,” said Bayard duPont, director of Product Support. “It’s a reliable system, and one that adds to our growing list of improvements to the 480B.”

This is the latest development in Enstrom’s product improvement program aimed at increasing performance and passenger comfort in its turbine model. The air conditioning unit is an option that can be retrofitted to any Enstrom 480 or 480B.

It is immediately available as a two or three evaporator system. The two-evaporator system, weighing a total of 74 pounds, is suitable for most environments, according to a company statement to ANN. In extreme conditions, the three-evaporator, 87 pound unit is recommended, the statement said.

The first unit is currently being installed in SN 5079, a demonstration aircraft going to Enstrom's newest US dealer, Eagle Helicopter and Aviation, LLC in Laverne, CA.

The 480 was certified in 1993 and the 480B was certified in 2001. With the aircraft receiving approval in an increasing number of countries throughout the world, the 480 model series serves a variety of commercial and private functions.

FMI: www.enstromhelicopter.com