Enstrom Helicopter Corporation Celebrates a Successful 2024
As we begin a new calendar year, Enstrom looks back at the many successes of 2024.
Enstrom began the year by celebrating the opening of its brand-new FAA-approved repair station in Menominee, which now provides helicopter maintenance, damage repairs upgrades, and component overhauls – all at the hands of Enstrom’s premier repair experts. A few months later, the repair station earned its validation from EASA, allowing it to also serve customers in the European Union.
Another exciting development: customers were reintroduced to the Enstrom Owner’s Insurance Program, forged from a new partnership with sister company Aviation Specialty Insurance. The program provides customers with ultra-competitive rates, tiered rating credits, instant rate indications and more.
This year, Enstrom welcomed Larry Pilkington as its new Senior Vice President of Engineering. The SVP-Eng is responsible for setting goals and direction for the engineering team, also functioning as the department’s face to executive leadership and the aerospace industry. Pilkington now plays an instrumental role in Enstrom’s resurgence into both the stateside and international markets.
Enstrom continued to impress at trade shows and conferences worldwide. Several highlights include EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which welcomed a record 686,000 visitors; SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland, Florida; European Rotors in Amsterdam, Netherlands; and the Africa Aerospace & Defence Expo in Waterkloof, South Africa.
As has become tradition, Enstrom saved its biggest announcements of the year for HAI HELI-EXPO, which this year was held in Anaheim, California. Enstrom announced a new collaboration with Genesys Helicopter Autopilot for the 480B, a partnership with Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems to provide air conditioning for the 280FX and F28F helicopters, and an expanded partnership with Airwolf Aerospace to allow for the installation of True Blue Power® TB17 Lithium-ion batteries in the 480B. Enstrom also debuted several never-before seen paint schemes for customers to select from.
Enstrom affirmed its commitment to serving its global teammates on multiple continents in 2024. The Peruvian military purchased a total of four training helicopters from Enstrom, two for the Army, which arrived in Peru in August 2024, and two for the Air Force, which are due to arrive in February 2025.
In March, the Zambian Air Force (ZAF) welcomed two newly delivered Enstrom 480B helicopters into its fleet. Enstrom representatives joined ZAF personnel for an induction ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia. ZAF Commander, Lieutenant General Oscar Msitu Nyoni, said the Air Force will use these helicopters for training and utility missions.
Enstrom Helicopter president Todd Tetzlaff and JGSDF representative.
Then in November, Enstrom visited its largest international customer, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), to celebrate the completion of 100,000 flight hours in their fleet of 30 TH-480Bs. Enstrom President Todd Tetzlaff and Vice President of Product Support Doug Smith attended a special commemorative ceremony in Utsunomiya, toured the JGSDF Aviation School in Ise, and visited the Aero Facility Co., Ltd. Offices in Tokyo. Aero Facility has served as Enstrom’s sales representative in Japan for many years.
Chief Commercial Officer Dennis Martin had the distinct honor of taking part in a general aviation flyover of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The flyover was in celebration of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)’s 85th anniversary. Martin flew the Enstrom 480B – one of only a select few helicopters invited to take part – down the Potomac River and through restricted airspace along the designated route.
The year 2025 is shaping up to be an equally monumental year for Enstrom. Stay tuned for many more exciting announcements in the months to come!
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.