Enstrom Trainer
Interesting ... the subject of a factory produced Enstrom trainer ... When I was running Skyline Helicopters at Wycombe Air Park in the early 1980s, that highly experienced Enstrom engineer and pilot, Simon Gibson was working on the idea. As already mentioned here, the new machine was to be manufactured as a fixed two-seater. The luxury items of chrome controls, posh carpets, luggage locker etc would go along with the turbo charger. A good weight man would be brought in to get 200 lbs off the empty weight.(mass for you newer guys) Standard fuel tank to be the original 180lbs, with a 240 lb tank option. Airframe colours to be any colour as long as it was Khaki. The C1A injected engine would remain at 205 bhp.
The 'A' model certified MAUW to remain at 2150 lbs. I pledged to give Simon an immediate order for six such machines on the basis of ultimately taking a solid 12 each year for starters. The new model was to be called the Enstrom Skyline, but I hadn't agreed that at the time with the factory owner, one F Lee Bailey! Sadly it all came to nought since at the time Enstrom had no interest ... but for what my judgement was worth and with the sale of 138 Enstroms already behind me and with world wide sales in mind, I believed such a trainer would have put the Enstrom factory firmly on the international flying training map throughout the 1980s even with the R22 beginning to dominate the training market. And just to remind you guys, even after 40 years in service, there has never been an Enstrom fatality in the UK. I cannot think of any major type that has such an impeccable record.
If Enstrom, under their new Chinese ownership, do put such a machine into production ... how I'd want to be forty again to lead that market ... and maybe make a few bob! Good & safe flying to you all. Dennis K.