Enstrom Helicopter, which saw 12 of its 20 deliveries last year go to customers outside the U.S., is seeing a continuation of the trend in 2009.

The Menominee, Mich.-based OEM (Booth No. 2319) recently delivered its first 480B destined for Bulgaria to Fortuna Air of Veliko Tarnovo. It will be employed primarily for agricultural spraying and is equipped with the first production 480B ag-spray kit from Isolair (Booth No. 1341). When not in use spraying crops, the helicopter will do duty as a commercial aircraft and in a search-and-rescue role, for which it is equipped with pop-out floats and a cargo hook for short-haul rescue.

Earlier this year Enstrom also delivered a 480B to Rotor Ukraine, its newest European dealer. It will fly from the city of Kikolayev as a sales demonstrator and will be available for commercial purposes such as tours and photography.

Rotor Ukraine will be fully equipped to offer sales and service for Enstrom piston and turbine helicopters throughout the Ukraine and other eastern European countries. “With nearly 70 percent of its helicopters going overseas, securing new dealerships like Rotor Ukraine has been a vital part of Enstrom’s recent growth,” said company president and CEO Jerry Mullins.

Enstrom and Monarch Aviation also announced at Heli-Expo the sale of two more 480B turbine helicopters in India. The first went to Ashok Sawhny, CEO of Monarch International, and will be used by Monarch as a demonstrator as well as in a commercial role. The second aircraft was sold to Orissa Stevedores to be used as a corporate transport.

Monarch has proven especially adept at navigating India’s unique paperwork requirements and regulations,” said Enstrom director of sales and marketing Tracy Biegler. “Mr. Sawhny was the first private individual in India to receive a nonscheduled operating certificate.” Monarch is an international business and trading company, specializing in helicopters, raw materials, machinery and travel. “There are a lot of people in India, but only a handful of helicopters,” said Monarch pilot M.K. Labroo. “The market must grow and it is growing.”