Enstrom Helicopters
29 used Enstrom helicopters listings · last refreshed 9 hours ago
About Enstrom Helicopter Company
Enstrom builds rugged, stable light helicopters with a reputation for a forgiving rotor system and solid build quality. The piston **F28** and **280 (Shark)** are three-seat singles known for stability and a strong, fully-articulated rotor; the turbine **480B** is the five-seat Rolls-Royce-powered evolution used for training, private and police work. Enstroms are valued for their smooth, stable handling and robust construction. There are currently 29 used Enstrom helicopters for sale.
Enstrom Helicopters for Sale
Enstrom Helicopters Price & Cost
How much does a Enstrom helicopter cost? Current pricing for used Enstrom helicopters is broken down per model in the table below — covering acquisition price, hourly operating cost and overhaul cost.
| Model | Used price range | Op cost / hr | Annual fixed | Overhaul cost | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piston Helicopters | |||||
| $131,870–$550,000 | — | — | — | 11 | |
The cost of a Enstrom helicopter depends on model, year, hours flown, avionics and condition. See operating costs and pre-buy checklist in the About section, or open a specific model page for a detailed price guide.
Enstrom Models — Specifications
Model spec| Model | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | ||||||
| 1975–1987 | 3 | 95 kt | 260 nm (482 km) | 930 lbs (422 kg) | 11 | |
Enstrom Models
Piston Helicopters
Enstrom 280FX Helicopter
- 280C SHARK 3
- 280FX 3
- F-280FX 2
- 280C Shark 1
- SHARK 1
- + 1 more variants
Compare Enstrom Helicopters
vs. Competitors (5)
Showing the most-searched matchups. Open a model or family page for its full set of comparisons, or browse all comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions — Enstrom
Are Enstrom helicopters reliable?
Enstrom helicopters are known for simple, rugged design. The piston-powered 280 series (F-28, 280C, 280FX) and turbine 480B use conventional mechanical controls without hydraulic boost — meaning fewer systems to fail, though control forces are higher. The Enstrom 480B turbine is described as easy to fly and reliable, with lower maintenance costs than hydraulic-equipped competitors. However, a significant AD grounded 300+ 280FX helicopters after a main rotor spindle failure caused a fatal crash, requiring magnetic particle inspections above 5,000 hours. On AeroGurus, we track 21 Enstrom listings from 49,000 to 67,000.
How much does an Enstrom helicopter cost to operate?
The Enstrom 280C costs approximately 12/hour to operate (at 300 hours/year), while the 280FX runs about ,035/hour. The turbine 480B costs more per hour in fuel but less in total operating expenses due to the Rolls-Royce 250 engine TBO intervals. The 480B actually has lower overall hourly costs than the piston models when factoring in engine overhaul reserves. Pre-owned 280C helicopters average around 35,000, while the 280FX averages 40,000. The 480B commands 00,000-67,000 depending on condition and hours.
Enstrom Inventory by Country
| United States | 9 |
| China | 3 |
| Slovenia | 3 |
| United Kingdom | 2 |
| Guatemala | 1 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
Recently Sold Enstrom
| 1978 280C SHARK | $130,000 |
| 1997 280FX SHARK | $209,000 |