Japan Accepts Last Delivery of 2012 from Enstrom Helicopter
Menominee, MI, October 30, 2012 – Representatives from Japan visited Enstrom the week of October 22, 2012 to accept their last delivery for the year. This delivery marks eight aircraft for the year, completing a total 10 out of a contracted 30 TH-480B helicopters that have been delivered. The turbine powered aircraft will be used by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to train pilots for their fleet of helicopters. The TH-480B will eventually replace the OH-6 as the JGSDF’s primary training helicopter.
The first two TH-480B helicopters delivered to Japan have been in service for a combined total of more than 600 flight hours. This most recent delivery will arrive in Japan to support an on time delivery to the JGSDF, with 10 more to follow in 2013, and the final 10 in 2014.
“This delivery marks a great milestone for Enstrom in our relationship with Japan, with one third of the order now complete,” said Enstrom Helicopter Corporation President and CEO, Jerry Mullins. “We are very happy with the progress of the program with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force.”
The TH-480B is the JGSDF designation for the Enstrom 480B light turbine helicopter. Enstrom was chosen in a competitive bidding process over two formidable manufacturers in February of 2010 to replace the JGSDF fleet of training helicopters. The first TH-480B was delivered to the JGSDF in February of 2011.
Enstrom is represented in Asia by Blake & DeJong Ltd., and in Japan by Aero Facility Co. Ltd. For more information on Blake & DeJong Ltd., please contact blake@blake-dejong.com. For more information on Aero Facility, please visit www.aero.co.jp.
Founded in 1959, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation manufactures a complete line of helicopters. The three-seat, piston-powered F28F and 280FX are popular training, sport and light commercial aircraft. The larger turbine-powered 480B is available as a three-place advanced trainer and patrol aircraft, a 2+2 four-seat training helicopter, or as a three- to five-place executive transport. For law enforcement applications, Enstrom produces an optionally equipped variant of the 480B, known as the Guardian, and the F28F, called the Sentinel. For more information on Enstrom, visit www.enstromhelicopter.com.
About Enstrom Helicopter
From Rudy Enstrom’s early designs in 1943 to initial testing in a Michigan Quarry in 1957 to aircraft operating on six continents, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has maintained a reputation for safety, value and performance. Based in Menominee, Michigan and proudly made in the United States, Enstrom has a rich history for design innovation. The goal is to provide helicopters to the customer’s exact specification and deliver support and maintenance worldwide.