Download - 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