A rejuvenated Enstrom announced that it sold 12 helicopters this week at HAI Heli-Expo in Atlanta. “We came into the show with some very high sales expectations, and we are thrilled with the results,” said Enstrom v-p of sales and marketing Dennis Martin.
Enstrom's 480B turbine single and 280FX piston single now feature glass panel avionics systems, refreshed interiors, and a signature paint scheme by renowned artist Dean Loucks. ”I’ve met with many people this week who have come to our booth expressing interest in our aircraft and even more who have said how happy they are to see that Enstrom’s back and how excited they are that we’re manufacturing helicopters again,” said Chuck Surack, Enstrom’s new owner.
Surack purchased Enstrom’s assets out of bankruptcy in May 2022 and has since made a substantial investment in the company to restart and refresh its product line. Before that, Enstrom was in near-continuous operation for 64 years, manufacturing more than 1,300 light turbine and piston-powered helicopters for police, military, commercial, and private missions.
Based in Menominee, Michigan, the company had most recently been part of China’s Chongqing General Aviation Industry Group (CGAG) but had at various times been owned by the Purex Corp., famed defense attorney F. Lee Bailey, and inventor Dean Kamen.