Story ID: 
Two Enstrom TH-180s Now in Flight-test Program
By: Mark Huber
Caption: One helicopter is in flight test while the other is currently engaged in a 100-hour ground-test run of the drive system and controls.
Word Count: 157
The second Enstrom TH-180 has joined the certification test program, the company announced last week. The two-seat piston helicopter remains on track for certification by year-end.

One helicopter is in flight test while the other is currently engaged in a 100-hour ground-test run of the drive system and controls. The company reports that “several” of these tests have been completed and that “flight testing of the TH-180 will continue to ramp-up as test plans are completed and approved by the FAA.”

Enstrom Helicopter said its plan is for concurrent certification of the model by the FAA and EASA. The TH-180 is powered by a new 210-hp Lycoming HIO-390-A1A piston engine and will be initially certified with Garmin avionics. It features an engine governor and elecric clutch switch, a useful load of 700 pounds  and Enstrom's signature fully-articulating, high-inertia main rotor system and unblocked tail rotor. Target price is less than $400,000.