HANGAR TALK Industry news relevant to your business
MD Helicopters Announces Powerful Engine Upgrade for MD 520N and Complimentary MGTOW Upgrade for MD 530F Owners
MD Helicopters (MDH) recently kicked off an STC project that will certify the use of a Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine in the MD 520N, which features MDH’s patented NOTAR tailboom. STC certification is expected before the end of 2023 and MDH will license a select number of MDH Authorized Service Centers around the world to perform the upgrade, which will significantly boost the MD 520N’s hot-high performance while reducing maintenance costs. MDH is partnering with Columbia Helicopters Inc. to establish the STC.
“MDH’s new leadership made a commitment to strengthen and support our proven line of highly revered helicopters and this is another delivery on that promise,” says MD Helicopter President and CEO Brad Pedersen. “There are 85 MD 520N helicopters flying today. This engine upgrade offers an improvement for those aircraft by significantly boosting power, performance, and cost savings for MD 520N NOTAR operators. We are grateful to Columbia Helicopters for their partnership in completing the STC process and look forward to providing upgrades before the end of the year.”
Benefits of the -C30 engine upgrade at 4,700-foot density altitude: • Hover with 300 more pounds on a hot day • 15% increase of available SHP on a hot day • 15% increase of TOT margins • Improved maintenance costs
28 July/Aug 2023
Once the STC is approved later this year, upgrade kits will be made available to select MDH Authorized Service Centers that will perform the upgrades. Each upgrade is expected to take one to two months to complete.
Complimentary Maximum Gross Take Off Weight Upgrade for all MD 530F Helicopters
MDH is also offering its MD 530F Maximum Gross Take-Off Weight (MGTOW) Upgrade to operators of all MD 530F model helicopters as part of the company’s continuing efforts to increase customer support and service. The upgrade increases MGTOW from 3,100 to 3,350 pounds.
The MGTOW upgrade is an internal weight increase. VNE with the new MGTOW is 150 knots. Maximum external load gross weight, minimum flying weight, and the center of gravity remain unchanged.
The upgrade consists of a new rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) supplement assigned to the aircraft serial number and a VNE IAS (knots) placard reflecting the increased MGTOW for display in the aircraft. Any MDH Authorized Service Center can perform the upgrade. Depending on service center workload availability, MD 530F MGTOW upgrades could be performed in less than a month from request.
MDH continues to increase availability on all fielded parts for its aircraft, including NOTAR helicopters. These upgrades are in addition to a growing parts supply to support the aircraft.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
