USA – Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has received full regulatory clearance from the FAA and EASA to begin deliveries of the turbine-powered 480B helicopter, with the first production-ready aircraft — serial number 5261 — certified for full airworthiness and available for worldwide sale.

The clearance follows the late 2025 approval of Enstrom's crash resistant fuel system (CRFS), which was the final outstanding compliance requirement restricting new 480B sales; the CRFS is designed to minimise the risk of post-impact fuel fires.
Enstrom is developing an optional glass panel upgrade for all factory-new 480B aircraft, incorporating a Garmin G500H avionics display, GTN Digital Audio radios, ADS-B In/Out surveillance, and Howell engine indication — with deliveries of 480B aircraft with this technology package anticipated to begin in October 2026.
On the piston-powered 280FX, Enstrom's engineering team is working with the FAA toward flight tests scheduled for May 2026, with factory-new 280FX deliveries targeted for as early as July 2026; the initial 280FX aircraft will feature a legacy round dial instrument cluster with a Garmin GTN radio stack, with a G500H portrait display integration under development.
Enstrom is also expanding its authorised service centre and dealer network to support the returning production activity, inviting interested parties to contact the company's product support team.

Statements

"This is a major step in our journey back to prominence in the light helicopter market. Customers have been very patient with us as we made every effort to ensure safety and compliance, and we greatly appreciate that," said Charles Wade, Senior Vice President of Product, Sales, and Customer Excellence, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.
"We've already received many inquiries, and the majority of these certainly lean into wanting the latest technology. We anticipate deliveries of helicopters with this technology to begin in October 2026," said Charles Wade, Senior Vice President of Product, Sales, and Customer Excellence, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.
"Our engineering team is working very closely with the FAA to push this project across the finish line. We are expecting to perform FAA flight tests in May 2026, which would mean we could be ready to deliver factory-new 280FX aircraft as early as July 2026," said Charles Wade, Senior Vice President of Product, Sales, and Customer Excellence, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.

Source: Enstrom Helicopter Corporation

US Helicopter Manufacturer Receives Dual FAA and EASA Regulatory Clearance to Resume New Rotorcraft Deliveries

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