viking Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I am looking for to purchase a turbine machine. I have an enstrom 280 shark turbo and have looked at the 480b enstrom turbine for around the $1.1m. I am also considering a very low houred ec120b for a little more money. I know the 480b is nice to fly I am wondering if any owners or pilots of the ec120b can give me some advise as to the pros and cons. Thanks in advance for any help. viking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmiller4292 Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Viking, I have never flown an Enstrom...so I can only comment on the EC-120B...I have about 800 hrs in the EC-120. The EC-120 is a very enjoyable aircraft to fly...ours is relatively heavy...leaving me only about 1100lbs useful load, so we are pretty much limited to Pilot/TFO and about 600lbs of gas. At Max Gross it can be a handful in the summertime. That being said, I flew the factory trainer at NVG school in August and we had a full bag of gas and 5 on board, and it handled it nicely....The tail rotor authority is phenomenal compared to our OH-58 and the VEMD makes monitoring the engine parameters a breeze. One of the cons of the EC-120 would have to be the parts...they are only available through Eurocopter and its authorized service centers...same with Turbomeca....its not like finding parts for a RR250. I would recommend a Service By the Hour contract with Turbomeca if it is an option...it covers fuel manifolds (250hrs) and things of that nature...It performs well, and the air conditioning is a nice addition in the summertime. I am not sure where you are located, but if you want to call with more questions, or want someone to help you look at an aircraft..let me know...I'm definitely not the most experienced EC-120 guy out there, but I would be more than willing to help you look for some of the common things that can become problematic....our airframe has 6500 hrs on it currently... Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thanks for that. I am flying in Australia and it does get very hot, having said that I am only using it for personal use maybe 3 up most of the time but will watch the power as you have suggested. regards Viking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmiller4292 Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Viking, If you don't have it loaded down with police equipment like us, I think you would love the EC-120...if your interested in calling with further questions, let me know, and I would be more than happy to PM you my number.... Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thanks again Ryan, I will talk with our local dealer as to the maintainence program options. No we wont have it full of police equipment, although i would happily chase the baddies down here for free, maybe just to pour hot oil on them to encourage them to examine their lifestyles and I am convinced that would show them the error of their ways. I will get back to you after some research as the machine will probably end up being purchased in the US. regards Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmiller4292 Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Michael, No problem...If there any that are in Texas you need looked at...let me know....I also know quite a few of the folks at Eurocopter in Grand Prairie that I can put you in touch with if it gets that far! Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inferno Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 The 120 is an amazing ship. Like miller said, it can be a bit of a challenge in the summer heat when heavily loaded, but other than that, it is a dream. I have no experience in the Enstrom, but I have rarely heard good things about them. Might just be the pilots I hang out with, not sure. Beyond that, the EC120 is just beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesp Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I looked at an Enstrom 480 as one of the options a few years back, went over with the Boss, we both sat in it and it was full, Boss is a really big guy. That was the end of the Enstrom. It might be a good helicopter but it's uncomparable in space alone. Needless to say we bought an EC120. I'm very happy with it, absolutely fantastic to fly. Lots of room, mine is light with an aft cg, don't have loading problems, but our flights are never longer than 1 hour, so don't have to take a lot of fuel anyway. Maintenance hasn't been a problem at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOATFIXERGUY Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Although I'm a huge Enstrom fan, I recently came over to the dark side (Eurocopter). I would certainly look at an EC120. The Enstrom is a great turbine, but for 4 adults it's a little cramped. Since you've flown the 480, go out and fly a 120 in the configuration and seating you will be flying and see if it works for you. Good luck and let us know how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R22139RJ Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 (edited) The EC sure is stealthy. Edited December 3, 2009 by R22139RJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucksweet Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 (edited) Viking,Great question. I have been flying a beautiful brand new Enstrom 480 for the last 200 hours or so. http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/a...INE/1162993.htm It is an amazing ship...very easy to fly. I love it. That being said, I was wanting a little more useful load. I'd like to carry at least 3 other adults with me. (my wife and another couple) I can do it in the Enstrom with half fuel and if they are small. I have about 1100 lbs of useful load. I looked really hard at EC 120s and I flew a couple. Again, not hard to fly...although initially, they were a little more sensitive or "twitchy", due to the hydraulics I believe, (the Enstrom has cables). This was pretty easy to get used to. All that being said, after flying EC 120s, and AS 350s, I kept coming back and saying wow, my Enstom flies great and is a really nice ship. It definitely flies smoother and lifts off the ground better. It has been practically maintenance free, too. I so wish Enstrom would make a "stretched" 480. I'd be first in line for one. After looking at lots of typical EC 120s I figured out that it only had marginally better capabilities than my 480.. and maybe worse in warm weather, etc. ...frankly, not enough of an improvement for me. The EC-120 does have a nicer, more traditional configuration of seating, though. The 480 has a very unique way of sitting 4 or 5 people. You can see diagrams on their website. I decided to jump over the EC 120 and I am in negotiations to buy an EC 130. Obviously, this is much more of a ship to own and maintain, but I know it will handle my missions. Chuck Edited December 3, 2009 by chucksweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 I am looking for to purchase a turbine machine. I have an enstrom 280 shark turbo and have looked at the 480b enstrom turbine for around the $1.1m. I am also considering a very low houred ec120b for a little more money. I know the 480b is nice to fly I am wondering if any owners or pilots of the ec120b can give me some advise as to the pros and cons. Thanks in advance for any help. viking Michael, I have to ask, why aren’t you considering the Bell 206? Not that I’m a sales guy or a 206 proponent (I prefer the 407) but with its history and safety record, I’m always curious why people like yourself don’t consider the 206… Spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Hi Chuck and Spike. loving the flying of the 208c shark as I do, and knowing the 480 is a great machine, it was my first thought as a natural progression into a turbine, eco to run and maintain. like you Chuck, the seating is a little cramped. and certainly would love to see a limo version of the 480, but life being as short as it is, and decisions have to be made, the 120b is ahead at this stage. Spike has suggested the bell 206b3 which I have looked at but most here in Australia are the 1978-90 vintage and there is no questioning their reputation and I do like flying them so will look at a new one in the course of the inquiry. I will be traveling to the US in the first part of the new year to make the final decisionthank you all for your comments and help. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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