Enstrom Gets Ability To Resume Helicopter Production

The legacy rotorcraft OEM acquired its production certificate from the FAA this week.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 01:36 PM ET

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Retiring assigned PMI, Gary Bockman; vice president of product support and quality assurance Doug Smith; and assigned PMI, Rick Jantz. [Courtesy: Enstrom]

Key Takeaways:

Enstrom Helicopter has received its FAA production certificate, allowing it to resume full manufacture and delivery of new helicopters after building parts for months.
The certificate marks a significant turnaround for Enstrom, which filed for bankruptcy 11 months ago and nearly ceased operations due to a slumping market.
Its revival was made possible by the acquisition of its assets in May by Indiana-based entrepreneur Chuck Surack.
Enstrom CEO Matt Francour and Surack credit the rapid achievement of the certificate to strong collaboration with the FAA and the team's dedicated efforts, with new helicopter deliveries expected this spring.

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Though it has been building parts for months now, Enstrom can now resume the manufacture and delivery of new helicopters under the production certificate granted this week by the FAA.

In a ceremony at the FAA’s Minneapolis MIDO (Manufacturing Inspection District Office), Enstrom’s vice president of operations Doug Smith received production certificate No. 26CE. Included in the authorization is the disposition to manufacture parts for all models of Enstrom helicopters.