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AIRCRAFT

 

MDH 500

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Overview

The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is a family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach, and would be available in basic five and seven seat configurations. A utility version with a more powerful engine was offered as the 500U (later called the 500C).

The 500 series features shock-absorbing landing skid struts, a turboshaft engine mounted at a 45 degree angle toward the rear of the cabin pod, a fuel tank cell under the floor and the battery in the nose. The engine exhaust port is located at the end of the cabin pod underneath the tailboom. It has a short-diameter main rotor system and a short tail.

In 1976 the improved Hughes 500D became the primary model. It has a more powerful engine, a T-tail and a new five-blade main rotor.

The 500D was replaced by the 500E from 1982. It has a pointed nose and various interior improvements such as greater head and leg room.

The 530F was a more powerful version of the 500E, optimised for hot and high work.

McDonnell Douglas acquired Hughes Helicopters in January 1984, and from August 1985 the 500E and 530F were built as the MD 500E and MD 530F Lifter.

Following the 1997 Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger, Boeing sold the former MD civil helicopter lines to MD Helicopters in early 1999.

Specifications
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  • Typical passenger capacity:  
  • Range:   ●●●●●●●●●●
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  • Cabin height:   ●●●●
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  • Active fleet worldwide:   ●●●
  • Available for charter worldwide:   ●●●
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  • Engines:   ●●●●●●●●●●
Variant types
World fleetCharter fleetTypical paxCabin volumeCruiseRangeYears
Hughes 369HS ●● ●●●●●●●●● ●●●●●●● ●●●●●● ●●●●●●●
Hughes 369D ●●● ●● ●●●●●●●●● ●●●●●●● ●●●●●● ●●●●●●●●●●
MDH 500E ●●● ●● ●●●●●●●●● ●●●●●●● ●●●●●●●●●●
MDH 530F ●●● ●● ●●●●●●●●● ●●●●●●● ●●●●●● ●●●●●●●●●●

 

Supplemental Type Certificates

Browse or search through all recent STCs.

Why is this data obscured?
18/06/2023 EASA: 10082127. ●●●●●●●●●●
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STC holder: ●●●●●●●●●●
24/02/2022 EASA: EASA.R.S.01056. ●●●●●●●●●●
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STC holder: ●●●●●●●●●●

 

Manufacturing data
For detailed information about the manufacture of this aircraft, please consult our sister publication Airframer: MD 500E/530F
Charter operators
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Maintenance centres
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Mexico ●●●●●●●●●●
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Completions centres
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U.S.A. ●●●●●●●●●● , ●●●●●●●●●●
Type rating training providers
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Manufacturer
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U.S.A. ●●●●●●●●●●
New aircraft sales

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News from Business Air News
10 heli models now covered by Airwolf STC for lithium-ion batteries
January 22, 2024
Airwolf can now offer operators of Airbus, Enstrom, Hiller and MD helicopters the benefits of lower weight, faster and cooler engine starts, a longer life and the extreme cold capabilities of lithium-ion batteries.
MDH deploys C30 variant Rolls Royce engine in its 520N
August 4, 2023
MDH is also offering its complimentary MD 530F Maximum Gross Take Off Weight (MGTOW) upgrade to operators of all MD 530F model helicopters as a part of its efforts to increase customer support and service.
Pomona police add Trakka total surveillance package
May 19, 2023
The PPD MD-500E helicopter now has clear video and rapid mapping system with lots of easily used features. The crews love it.
March 24, 2023AvPanels takes on 5G-tolerant radar altimeters
March 24, 2023MD Helicopters sticks with Foresight MX
March 12, 2023MD Helicopters sweetens the deal for the support network
February 20, 2023Huntington Beach rotary upgrade programme gets under way
January 5, 2023MD 530F adds capability to HeliService operations
December 18, 2022Atlanta PD progresses fleet renewal with MD 530F acquisition
July 18, 2022MD receives FAA approval for slimline cockpit
May 29, 2022HLH Aviation takes delivery of MD 530F conversion
March 17, 2022GPMS attains Foresight MX STC for the MD530
March 14, 2022Houston Police turns to MDH for heli maintenance
November 15, 2021California law enforcement brings in MD 530F to tackle drugs
August 26, 2021Huntington Beach remains faithful to MD Helicopters
May 10, 2021MD Helicopters names Oceania as authorised rep
April 19, 2021Jack Harter switches helicopter fleet to ExxonMobil 387
March 6, 2021Hughes offers huge benefits to business owner Colclough
February 22, 2021Mixed fleet Foresight MX will serve TVA well
November 2, 2020FAA gives human external cargo system a boost
September 5, 2020MD 530F gains 250lbs on takeoff weight
August 13, 2020E-to-F conversion makes this Wilson MD 530 good as new
February 23, 2020Garmin touchscreen navigator upgrade is approved
February 2, 2020Single engine advances on track from MD Helicopters
March 19, 2019PowerFlarm makes landmark sale to UK customer
March 12, 2019TVA’s MD 530F will take charge of powerline inspection
March 5, 2019Onboard Systems dual cargo hook certified for MD500
November 15, 2018Virginia Beach police selects MD 530H
September 23, 2015Bushveld takes factory-new MD 500ER for conservation
September 10, 2014Me & my aircraft: Single engine helicopters – Single helis are adaptable and robust, with twin benefits at lower cost
October 3, 2011Packshot's helicopter will have the right nose to be a movie star
Press Releases

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