Enstrom began by attempting to design his own helicopter. His lack of training in this area meant that his first efforts were not outstanding, but his efforts were noticed by local Upper Peninsula businessmen, who decided to back him.Stephen Pope, Enstrom 480B, Flying, September 2011, pp. 60-65 They recruited several experienced aeronautical engineers, and the group was incorporated as the R.J. Enstrom Co. (1959).
