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TH-28

The TH-28 was a modified Enstrom model 280 as trainer for the US Army, intended to replace the UH-1 in the training role. The Bell 206B JetRanger III was chosen instead.

A collaboration between a Boston industrial design firm and the Enstrom engineering team yielded a new aerodynamically styled airframe, the 280 Shark. The new model was certified in September 1974 and immediately put into production. The Shark was later named by Fortune Magazine as one of the 25 best factory-made products in the United States. The Enstrom 280FX Shark is the latest development in the F28/280 series, which traces its history back to the early 60s.

In 1988, Enstrom won its first major military contract when it was selected to provide 15 280FX helicopters to the Chilean Army for pilot training. Around 80 of the model 280FX Shark were delivered by the end of 1997. Among fleet users is the Chilean Army (15 for primary and instrument training). This was followed by a competitive win in Peru to supply 10 F-28F helicopters to the Army. Later, Enstrom was selected by the Colombian Air Force to provide 12 F-28F helicopters for pilot training. Enstrom also supplied a flight simulator with a visual system to Colombia. As recently as 2001, a fleet of 280FX training helicopters was delivered to the Venezuelan National Guard.

After preliminary market and design studies validated a satisfiable need, Enstrom initiated the development of a larger, turbine-powered helicopter in 1988. Two versions were to be developed: a three-seat military trainer, the TH-28, and a five-seat, commercial helicopter, the 480.

The turbine-powered TH-28 first flew in 1990. A rigorous certification program included four test aircraft and over 1500 hours of flight test, as well as extensive ground testing and component fatigue testing. The TH-28 was granted FAA certification to C.A.R. Part 6 standards in September 1992. The TH-28 and 480 were the first F.A.A. certified helicopters that were developed with a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing package, contrary to the claims of some other helicopter manufacturers.