Enstrom F-28

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Enstrom Helicopter Corporation. Model: F-28. Nickname: none?
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: single recip

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2
> Number of Times Flown: 2
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: —

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 49
> Date First Flown: 12/1/1988
> Location First Flown: NAS Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USNTPS Qual Eval, no pilot recorded in my log

Recollections: I flew the Enstrom Helicopter at USNTPS while serving as a JO instructor pilot.  I didn’t record the model number but the serial number was “65000” (maybe a company prototype?).  Based on research, I believe it was probably an F-28 (Enstrom  developed follow-on models to the F-28, including a turbine powered version).  I’m CERTAIN it had a reciprocating engine (I believe it was the first helo recip I’d ever flown).  Why am I certain?  Because it didn’t have an governor and the engine was (apparently, based on my safety pilots inputs) NEVER on speed.  As if flying a helo wasn’t hard enough…you want me to manage the throttle too?  Yeesh.  🙂

I flew the Enstrom again (this time Serial 65060 about 6 months later, again on a qual eval. Guess I needed the training maintaining rpm!