Come fly the Utah mountains in an Enstrom Helicopter

Join me for a helicopter cruise along the ridge lines of the northern Wasatch mountains in Utah, just north of Salt Lake City. We'll go through a quick intro to my '97 Enstrom F28F then take flight from Skypark airport.
My first video so I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. What do you like, or not? Thanks for watching.

[@peterrowcliffe747]

lovely video big fan of enstrom had flight traning in enstrom but ran of money but will try again soon, peter in the UK

[@transition4908]

Thanks Peter! Enstrom was quite popular in the UK from what I understand. I’m sure Dennis Kenyon had an influence-love watching some of his display flight videos. Hope you get back at it soon.

[@cq7415]

Very nice, love how you explain things. Thanks for sharing.

[@transition4908]

Thanks for watching!

[@737tech]

I learned to fly in an Enstrom 30 years ago. Brings back memories. Miss it. Beautiful flight.

[@transition4908]

Cool! Did you go on to fly as a profession or was it just something you did out of an interest in choppers?

[@737tech]

@@transition4908 After being a helicopter mechanic in the army I wanted to get my hands on the controls. Sadly I ran out of money after getting my license. But it was a lot of fun. Miss it. The Enstrom is a great ship, probably the most stable small helicopter out there.

[@transition4908]

@@737tech Yeah, even getting the license is pretty pricey, I wasn't sure I'd keep flying after. My instructors were all Army pilots (in Apaches). The Enstrom is a great helicopter, and really just about the only piston powered one I'd want to fly around here with the high altitudes and gusty winds in the mountains.

[@videomks]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I'm in Michigan, my kids live in Salt Lake City and really love it out there and we love to visit the area. I really love the Enstrom and love that is built in Michigan. Did Enstrom survive bankruptcy ? Can you still get parts ? I do not fly, however I'm fascinated with helicopters and all that goes into flying one of these rigs. I was first introduced to helicopters in the 1980s, my boss at a motorcycle shop I worked at designed and built a twin rotor helicopter while I was a mechanic at the shop and getting my engineering degree. I flew in the twin rotor in the late 1980s. Dick Degraw is his name and I believe he considered an expert in helicopters and gyros and rotor head development. I've posted a video that shows some detailed images of the twin rotor. I'm still learning about the complexity of the rotor heads, rigid, semi rigid, teetering and mast bumping. I have flow in an R44 recently (only my 2nd time up, first was in the twin rotor in the 80s) and was aware about the mast bumping that can occur if the rotor is unloaded. I really like the rigid design on the Enstrom, seems more forgiving. Thanks for sharing the details on your Enstrom. You can see my video on the twin rotor creation under my videos videomks on youtube. Mike

[@transition4908]

Hi Mike, i looked up the video where you shared the images of your friend’s twin rotor- very cool! He had his own little mini K-Max back then. What an interesting project. Enstrom did survive bankruptcy-in fact it was really what needed to happen. They’d been bought out by a Chinese firm that had loaded them up with debt. While the underlying business was profitable, they could not service that kind of debt and survive. So, the fact that they went chapter 7 means the new owner (founder of sweetwater music and an Enstrom flyer) was able to buy debt free. They are making parts and helicopters. Just ordered a new turbocharger from them a couple days ago. Yeah, I like the Enstrom rotor head a lot. Particularly for around here. Flying in windy, mountainous terrain, I like knowing that mast bumping is just not going to happen. FYI the Enstrom rotor head is not rigid though, it is fully articulated. There are hinges to allow each blade to flap up and down. The safety of that rotor head is one of the reasons I wanted to buy an Enstrom. They don’t mast bump and they’ve never had a ground resonance issue either. Thanks for watching and sharing that twin rotor video.

[@AviatingPassion]

Good job my friend ! I'm impressed

[@transition4908]

Thanks Todd!

[@kingofaesthetics9407]

This was an excellent video, I really enjoyed it, some great views up there. That's a nice chopper you've got. I didn't know piston powered helicopters were still a thing.

[@transition4908]

Glad you enjoyed it. Yep, there are quite a few piston choppers out there. Lots of Robinsons (44s and 22s), Enstroms, Cabri G2, some Schweitzers and some Bell 47s still. The turbocharged Enstroms are the only ones of those that are good in the higher elevations we have around here.

[@RealRickCox]

Cool video!! When Mick brought me over to your hanger a couple months ago, I didn't realize you had a YT channel. It sure was fun to see you flying through the canyons!

[@transition4908]

Hi Rick, yeah, glad you stopped by! I’m anxious to make some more videos as soon as I fix my little maintenance issue.

[@RealRickCox]

@@transition4908 Lemme know if there's anything you need help with. Happy to assist if you need a hand.

[@Aerohead]

Just discovered this, hope you keep making content! p.s. Roger Sharkey is quite the character indeed! I know him well, he's at my airport.

[@chriseaves9762]

That’s awesome, you’re in Lebanon NH? Such a beautiful airport. I picked the guppy up there and flew it to salt lake in 2017.

[@naughtyUphillboy]

THAT WINDSCREEN, WOW................WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@transition4908]

That's a good thing right!?

[@naughtyUphillboy]

@@transition4908 YES, sure.

[@DreadnautVS]

Great video Chris! I'm new to Utah and loving it so far!!

[@transition4908]

Thanks! You said you were at west desert right? What are you flying there?

[@DreadnautVS]

@@transition4908 waiting on the hangar to be finished to bring the 1960 C172B down and just finished an RV-14 this year.

[@richborg45]

That looks like a lot of fun.

[@transition4908]

It definitely is! Magic carpet ride.

[@johnbarnedt5207]

I'd like to see you fly up Provo canyon to Heber.

[@transition4908]

Maybe I’ll do that. Timpanogos is super pretty.

[@colinelder8603]

Great video, thank you. Considering buying an Enstrom, problem here in the UK, they are becoming extinct, or at least the number of examiners who are allowed to test you

[@transition4908]

That’s too bad they are rare in the UK now. I know that the Enstrom community in the UK was quite strong at one point. My impression though is that they’re really not bad to work on so I’ll bet you’ll find a mechanic willing to do the work. Examiners though, that’s another issue I suppose. Good luck, let me know if you get one!

[@majestic51061]

Very nicely done ,really enjoyed your video. The Enstrom is a great Helicopter. If you ever would consider offering it for sale I certainly would be interested. Mark McCarthy

[@transition4908]

Thanks, I’ve thought about selling it periodically, but I’ve been enjoying flying it lately and will hang on to it a while. It’s a good little helicopter.

[@russellwilmarth6040]

I like the tug idea for your Enstrom. Where can I get one. Good video overall. Thanks.

[@transition4908]

I love that tug so much! There is no way I could move the heli in-and-out of the hangar by myself without it. It has a progressive throttle on the handle so you can move it very slowly or more quickly when you are past obstacles. It is from HeliTowCart in Quebec. If you call them up you'll get to hear a lovely French-Canadian accent. This is their website: helitowcart.com/towcarts/light (obviously, not sponsored or associated, just like the product!)

[@tirinbyland830]

I'd love to get your thoughts on ownership costs on the Enstrom, it is on my list of aircraft to buy. I also fly out of that airport. Thanks

[@transition4908]

You fly out of SkyPark? Come by sometime and you can look it over and I’ll tell you what the numbers have been for me. DM me on instagram @transition.4

[@shreddder999]

42 mins is super quick?

[@v35james78]

No way my wife would approve if my helicopter shook anywhere near that much. There wouldn’t be a hover, it would end before it started.

[@transition4908]

Yeah, I found it helped to warn people first! But since then we rebuilt the oleo struts and got a much better track and balance so it is much smoother now! Thanks for watching.

[@LHP985]

Chris. How can I get ahold of you sir. Would love to chat about Enstrom ownership if you have time. Thanks.

[@transition4908]

Hi, sure I’m happy to chat. You can send me a message at Chris-at-transition4.com and we can share contact info there.

[@signature1990]

Not a bad video.... good content. Look forward to more.... that Enstrom shuffle is a bit of a worry till you get airborne..

[@transition4908]

Thanks! Enstrom shuffle was improved quite a bit after my last track and balance.

[@ron6892]

Come jump into a live volcano with me wearing only a speedo

[@transition4908]

You’re not the first one with that idea. My late friend Jenny thought that sounded like a great way to go.

[@shanewang5083]

i wonder how much the maintenance cost for helicopters

[@transition4908]

It really depends on the helicopter. I also have a 62 year old Mooney, which is a pretty affordable plane to maintain. I would say this helicopter is typically 3-5x the cost to maintain as the Mooney each year. My maintenance costs average $12-15k a year, which includes parts and labor. Most other helicopters, particularly turbine versions, will cost much more. You also have to factor in some expenses like engine overhauls that will be infrequent depending on how much you fly, but also quite expensive.

[@shanewang5083]

@@transition4908 Greetings from Taiwan.Thanks for sharing,seems that piston ones are more affordable.Great video by the way.

[@transition4908]

Yes, the piston helicopters are a bit more affordable. Thanks for watching!

[@TheBeingReal]

Why do you fly left seat?

[@chriseaves9762]

Left seat is the pilot seat in Enstroms. You can put dual controls in, but only the left collective has the start button. I actually like this because it keeps the collective away from your passengers. You can have three across, with the middle right next to you with no one in the way.

[@wt9u]

Curious what glass instrument package that is.

[@transition4908]

The PFD and MFD are Aspens, and the GPS down below is a Garmin 430w. It’s a bit of overkill for a helicopter, but the previous owner wanted it set up for instrument training.

[@wt9u]

@@transition4908 I’m sure it makes a fantastic instrument trainer. Thanks for the info.

[@wildsox]

do you have an Instagram account?

[@transition4908]

Hello, yes, my instagram is @cogbox. Cheers!

[@Gmar69]

I have flown an Enstrom a few times. I'm not impressed with no governor and such for modern helicopters. I'll stick with more modern helicopters, This helicopter doesn't perform well with a lot of head wind. I have to give you a thumbs down.

[@transition4908]

Yeah, the governor thing seems to freak people out for some reason. I find it a non-issue. You actually can get a governor for them now, but I won’t bother. As far as performance in a headwind, not sure what you mean, that it’s slow? Yep, pretty slow. If you mean general performance in winds, I’ll take a fully articulated three bladed Heli any day over their two bladed alternatives - nice to not worry about chopping my tail off! But to each their own, have fun flying what you like.

[@irisaviation852]

Having learnt on a 300 I think the lack of governmenor is a positive thing. If you fly well then you can use all the green arc very easily to obtain more power.

[@Aerohead]

Just discovered this, hope you keep making content! p.s. Roger Sharkey is quite the character indeed! I know him well, he's at my airport.