480b ec120 comparison

7/27/2019 480B EC120 Comparison

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Product

Comparison

480B vs.Eurocopter

EC120B


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www.enstromhelicopter.com 906-863-1200 Menominee, MI USA

480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Specifications

n Gross Weight = 2,800 lbsp Gross Weight = 2,976 lbs

Enstrom 480B Eurocopter EC120B

Seats 1/4 or 2/1 1/4 or 2/3

Continuous Engine Power (To Drivetrain) 277 shp/206 kw 449 shp/335 kw

Gross Weight 3000 lbs/1361 kg 3780 lbs/1715 kg

Empty Weight (As Configured) 1770 lbs/803 kg 2116 lbs/960 kg

Payload (As Configured) 1230 lbs/558 kg 1665 lbs/755 kg

Cabin Width 70 59

Maximum Cruise Speed 115 kts/213 kmh 127 kts/236 kmhp

Range (internal fuel) 360 nm/684 kmn 416 nm/771 kmp

Maximum Takeoff Weight 3000 lbs/1361 kg 3780 lbs/1715 kg

Service Ceiling13000 ft

3962 mn20000 ft

6096 mp

Hover Ceiling IGE 13000 ft/3230 mn 16900 ft/5151 mp

Hover Ceiling OGE 10600 ft/3048 mn 7600 ft/2316 mp

Rate Of Climb1600 fpm8.1 m/sn

1450 fpm7.36 m/sp

Main Rotor Diameter 32 ft/9.8 m 32.81 ft/10 m

Number Of Rotor Blades 3 3

Standard fuel capacity 90 gal/341 lit 107.3 gal/406 lit

Vne 125 kts/232 kmn 150 kts/278 km


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480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Cockpit Comparison

The 480B offers an easily reconfigurable seating arrangement that is unique to theindustry. The controls are removable simply by pulling pins, and the seats can either be

removed or folded up. The cabin can be configured with seating for up to five people, a

medivac stretcher with an attendant, or a flat cargo floor. All this can be accomplished

in only minutes, without the use of tools. Both the pilot and co-pilots seats are fullyadjustable, along with adjustable rudder pedals, making the 480B comfortable for pilots

of any stature. This feature, along with a NASA developed seat foam, make the 480B

comfortable to fly for extended periods of time, and reduce pilot fatigue. The extra widecabin of the 480B creates ample shoulder and leg room for pilots and passengers alike.

All occupants enjoy near unrestricted visibility as well. The EC120 does not have

reconfigurable seating. Forward visibility for the rear seat occupants is limited.

The 480B is typically configured for left-hand pilot in command (PIC), while the EC120

utilizes a right-hand PIC. Many operators prefer the left-hand PIC as it allows removalof the right seat and central collective for more passenger/cargo room, and less chance

of fouling the controls. Left-hand PIC is also preferred for long line operations as it is

easier for most pilots to lean over the collective and look down than lean away from it. Finally, when the optional litter kit is

installed in the 480B, the inflight attendanthas full access to both ends of the patientsbody, and the pilot has full visibility of the

patient throughout the flight. In the EC120,

the litter slides through a tunnel in the backof the helicopter, limiting access and

visibility of the patient.

Esntrom 480B Litter Installation


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480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Performance and Flying Qualities

Performance and flight characteristics are two of themost important issues when looking at any helicopter.

Both the 480B and the EC120B have 3-bladed fully

articulated rotor heads for quick response, but the big

difference is in the direction of rotation for the mainrotor system. Most of the western helicopter fleets

utilize a counter-clockwise main rotor rotation, as does

the Enstrom 480B. However, the Eurocopter EC120Bhas a main rotor system that rotates clockwise. This

difference means that the correct pedal inputs will be opposite between the two aircraft. Therefore, when using the EC120B, considerable effort will

need to be made to re-train the pilots for the opposite pedal input before transition to or from the existing fleet can be successfully completed. Thissituation would become especially significant in an emergency situation where taught reaction would be the key.

In the flight performance category the 480B really excels. With its derated engine, the 480B has plenty of power forhot, high, and heavy operations. The EC120 does not have a derated engine, and suffers from power degradation the

moment the aircraft begins to

climb. The general consensus isthat the aircraft feels

underpowered. On the other

hand, 480B pilots rarely bumpup against the torque limits,even in hot and high operations.

This power difference really

shows up at altitude. At grossweight on a standard day, the

480B has the power to performHIGE at 12,300 ft, while the

EC120 can only manage 9,250ft.

EC120B HIGE 480B HIGE


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480B Mast and Internal Control System

Enstrom is known for a unique dynamic control system which many times catches the attention of

prospective buyers. Approaching the design with a clean sheet of paper, the original Enstrom

designers decided to make an aircraft that had all the strength and durability that every helicopterowner would want, and a rotor control system that was protected from the environment as much as

possible. Hence, the supremely successful internal control rod system of Enstrom was born.

The first thing that people notice is that the typical swashplate and mechanical linkages are not

directly under the rotor head of the helicopter. This, often times, leads to a false impression that the

mast is somehow less stout, or that theEnstrom has a skinny mast. This

perception comes about mainly because

the mast isnt shrouded or blocked by

external controls and swashplates. Inreality the Enstrom mast is larger than

most other helicopters its size. For

example, as seen from the photo to therigth, the 480B mast is significantly

larger than the Bell 206BIII mast.

The manner in which the control system

works actually necessitates a largerdiameter rotor mast for the 480B. Threepitch control rods are connected to the swashplate below the transmission, and they run

through the rotor mast up to the top of the rotor head where they connect to walking

beams and pitch change links that control the pitch of the rotor blades. With this design,the swashplate and control rods are almost completely out of the elements and protected.

Another side benefit of this design is that there are no mechanical linkages or plates that

could be damaged due to debris from outside of the aircraft. Even kite string has been

known to entangled with the outside control mechanical systems and bring down otheraircraft. This isnt a problem on the 480B.


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480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Maintenance and Operating Costs

Both the 480B and the EC120 are of similar size, but their operating costs are quite different. This is mainly due to theEC120s larger engine which requires more fuel to operate. At the factory recommended cruise speeds (sea level) the

EC120 will burn approximately 210 lbs/hour of fuel, while the 480B will only burn about 180 lbs/hr. This can add up

to a tremendous savings over the life of the aircraft.

Another contributing factor has to do with the 480Bs lower maintenance requirements. The EC120 has 52 life-

limited parts (under 21,000 hours), while the 480B only has 9. Some of the life-limited parts on the EC120 are

expensive major airframe items like tail rotor blades, which are due for replacement at 8500 hours. However, most ofthe 480Bs airframe, including the tail rotor blades, is replaced on condition.

Enstrom builds over 90% of the 480B in its facility in Menominee, MI. This means that Enstrom has great controlover its parts supply. Enstrom has a next day shipping rate of 89% on standard order parts, and an incredible 94%

next day shipping for AOG parts. This level of support is among the best in the helicopter industry.

Blades in production at the

Enstrom facility

480B

Replacement Main

Rotor BladesConstruction Life Limit

Aluminum None

EC120 Replacement

Main Rotor Blades

Construction Life Limit

Composite 20,000

Hours

480b ec120 comparison

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