Enstrom Helicopter Corporation recently completed delivery of 16 480B turbine training/utility helicopters for the Royal Thai Army (RTA). The deliveries were completed on budget, and ahead of contracted requirements.

“I am extremely proud of our team,” said Enstrom’s President & CEO, Jerry Mullins. “From contract signing to final delivery we completed this programme in just 19 months, and that included engineering, developing, testing, building and delivering 16 of the most advanced turbine training helicopters in the world.” The RTA 480Bs are equipped with state-of-the-art Cobham EFIS systems, dual Wulfsberg RT-5000 transceivers, Honeywell radar altimeters, and dual electronic/analog flight instrumentation. “It’s an incredible accomplishment. I think we’ve shown a small company , can do big things.”

“The RTA has been a great partner to work with on this programme,” said Tracy Biegler, Enstrom’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “They are already putting their new helicopters to good use, not only for training, but for other utility missions as well. It made our workforce proud to hear that there were 480Bs flying overhead every day in support of the rescue efforts required during the terrible flooding in Bangkok last year. We look forward to supporting the RTA and their 480B fleet for a long time to come.”The RTA is acquiring the 480Bs to provide entry level, turbine, training for its pilots. According to the company, the helicopters are already in use for training and utility operations.