The F28F is a wonderfully stable, powerful helicopter with the feel and quality of a luxury sports car. The three-bladed fully articulated system provides excellent stability and allows the pilot to have some fun with the ship without worrying about the aerodynamics problems of a two-bladed system. In fact the F28F can aerodynamically loop and roll, although we don't do this with the ship, it has safely been done. Enstrom has done a great job designing the F28F's control system so that hydraulics are not required which means pilots never have to worry about a hydraulic failure. The helicopter's cyclic top controlled trim system is responsive and easy to use, allowing for hands off flight in smooth air. The collective is also balanced to allow for hands off flight in almost any condition. Both the cyclic and collective have a firm, authoritive feel. The 280FX is truly a pilot's helicopter and the ship offers a rewarding flight experience regardless of experience level.

The F28F's tail rotor system provides excellent authority, which we discuss further under the safety tab and thanks to a unique planetary weight system the tail rotor blades hold their position, based on the pilots pedal setting. This system means there is minimal pressure required from the pilot to hold pedal settings and also allows for feet off operation under certain power settings.

Visibility for both the pilot and passengers is superb with both chin and upper cabin windows complimenting the large main bubble with it's undivided view. The instrument panel and all associated electronics are in front of the pilot within easy reach and there's nothing above the pilot to fumble for in an emergency or stressful flight situation. The F28F provides a bit more shoulder room than the 280FX and the doors offer a larger opening as well.

The Lycoming turbo changed engine is fully correlated meaning that as the pilot increases or decreases the collective the correlator device will in turn automatically increase and decrease the throttle to maintain operational rotor PRM. The system allows the pilot to fine tune engine and rotor RPM. We like having this control.

The F28F is a wonderful piston helicopter and is slightly more utility minded than the sleeker 280FX.