OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Hundreds of thousands of people from dozens of countries descend on Oshkosh every year to celebrate all things aviation at EAA AirVenture.
While aircraft and aviators come from all over the globe to get in on the action, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation doesn’t have to travel too far.
Based in Menominee, Michigan, Enstrom has been building helicopters since 1959. Dennis Martin, chief commercial officer for Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, said the company has more than 1,300 aircraft in over 50 countries worldwide.
Martin said Enstrom has a wide customer base, ranging from flight schools and police departments to high net worth individuals and foreign militaries.
“They’re sort of like Swiss army knives. We never quite know what people are going to do with our aircraft,” Martin said.
Enstrom has been participating in EAA AirVenture for decades. Martin called the event the “mecca of aviation.”
“We’ve been coming here for a long time — 20, 30 years at least. This is our backyard and we’re just so excited to be able to participate with EAA and show everybody here our helicopters and introduce them to helicopter aviation,” Martin said.
Martin said it’s a neat experience introducing their product to area residents who had no idea helicopters found all over the world were crafted so close to home.
“To be able to not only meet with some of our existing customers and new customers, but to be able to just show the general public what we build. You know, this is all built in their backyard,” Martin said. “These are all built in Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. It’s really fun to be able to just educate people on what’s made right here.”
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