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1976 ENSTROM 280C SHARK - Fresh ARC

1976 ENSTROM 280C Turbo Shark Helicopter

For sale - my Enstrom 280C in extremely good order and immaculate, which received a fresh ARC in August 2023, meaning its Annual is not due until August 2024, although the Air wolf strap conversion will need to be renewed. I’ve been quoted around £5500 to buy from the USA and £1200 for my engineer to fit and re-track/balance the blades.

For videos of this helicopter, please subscribe to my channel on YouTube, searching for “Blind Guy TV helicopter”.
I bought this low times helicopter in March 2022 and have spent £30k on refurbished main rotor blades, clutch, new alternator, mag overhaul and new starter wiring circuit, plus ARC certificate and usual servicing. The previous owner spent £50k on new tail rotor blades, 8.33 MHz radio and mode-S transponder, plus much more, all detailed in the extensive logs, which my engineer has in his possession. I can put any interested party in touch with him for an independent view. He will say however, that it’s a good Enstrom.



The engine is a fuel injected, turbocharged Lycoming 360 with only 370 hours since being zero timed. These engines can run up to 1500 hours, then on condition.



These helicopters have no life-timed components, just amount of hours run, then onto condition inspection. All components on this Enstrom have 100s of hours to run, before being on condition. The only exception being the Air Wolf straps, which are limited to five years.



There is no corrosion and the paint almost immaculate. Please look up G-WSKY on the G-INFO aviation site for other details, but from memory this helicopter has done less than approx 2100 hours since new in 1976 and, hence, very low hours. It has extensive service records and copy bills over the years.



The 280C is a three seater helicopter with removable centre seat. It has a three-place intercom, but have most of the heavy steam-driven old IFR instruments removed, making this a rather light 280C. With the turbo option, it is rated at 205-215 BHP, which makes it better in high density conditions. It is far easier to fly than a Robinson and much safer in my opinion.



I am only selling at the bargain price of £75k, because my pilot friend has lost his medical. If you are genuinely interested, have a valid PPL) H), an Enstrom rating and can provide a fully comprehensive certificate of insurance for the day, then I’m happy for the buyer to test hover this helicopter, although flying is out of the question, I’m afraid. I will also put the buyer in touch with my engineer and I have an email-able component time sheet and service bulletins.



Please note - the price is £75,000 firm, with no offers at this price, as I have factored the strap replacement into the price. Look elsewhere around the World at 280C prices and this is a real bargain and only up for sale due to circumstances.


Please call Andrew on +44(0)7759751320. The 280c is based in my hangar near Melksham, Wiltshire.

P.S. - I also have a spare set of main blades, in need of mild refurbishment, which can be bought for £15k.