Aerial Solutions, a North Carolina-based company recognised for pioneering the use of helicopters in precision tree trimming operations, will be the first operator to receive the MD Helicopters Super D20B upgrade.

MD Helicopters has had an STC approved by the FAA for the Super D20B upgrade, which is the first in a series of upgrades coming over the next six months. Delivering enhanced power and performance through structural and aerodynamic improvements, while retaining the proven Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine, the Super D20B offers operators a certified, cost-effective solution for increasing performance and maximum gross weight by up to 350 pounds or 11 per cent. The upgrade is available at all MD authorised service centres and the kits are ready to be shipped.

The installation was completed by South Carolina-based Southeast Helicopters, one of MDH's authorised service centres, marking the first fielded fleet upgrade to enter active service. Aerial Solutions is scheduled to take delivery of its upgraded aircraft within days, representing the first in a series of upcoming deliveries that will usher in a new era of enhanced performance across the MD fleet.

Super D20B upgrade highlights include: extended main and tail rotor blades for improved lift and performance; tail rotor gearbox extension for optimised control; modified tailboom to accommodate new dynamics; and new vertical and horizontal stabilisers for greater stability and efficiency.

The list price for the upgrade including labour and paint is $350,000, but final pricing is expected to be significantly lower if the operator chooses to sell the D-model parts and assemblies that will be replaced with F-model parts and assemblies.

“This STC represents a huge milestone for both MD operators and MD Helicopters,” says Ryan Weeks, president and CEO of MD Helicopters. “It's the first STC of its kind from MDH in more than a decade, and with five additional upgrades set for release in the coming months, excitement is building across the MD community. The modular design of these upgrades allows operators to tailor enhancement to their specific missions and implement them in stages if needed.”

Because the Super D kits are modular, operators who install the Super D20B upgrade today can later transition to the Super D20R or Super D30 by swapping engines, protecting their initial investment while unlocking future performance.

The Super D family of upgrades reflects MD Helicopters' ongoing dedication to advancing practical, performance-oriented innovations that improve operational efficiency and lifecycle value for military, law enforcement, commercial and utility customers worldwide.