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MD Helicopters MD 500

From PlaneSpottingWorld, for aviation fans everywhere
MD 500 series
A Hughes 500 Model 369HS
Type Light utility helicopter
Manufacturer Hughes Helicopters
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems
MD Helicopters, Inc.
Developed from Hughes H-6
Variants MD Helicopters MD 600

The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is a family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 originated as the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach. The series currently includes the MD 500E, MD 520N, and MD 530F.

History

The successful Hughes 500/MD 500 series began life in response to a US Army requirement for a light observation helicopter.[1] Hughes' Model 369 won the contest against competition from Bell and Hiller. The OH-6 Cayuse first flew as in February 1963.

Hughes/MD 500

Hughes 500 Model 369D
MD 500E

Prior to the OH-6's first flight, Hughes announced it was developing a civil version, to be marketed as the Hughes 500, available in basic five and seven seat configurations.[1] A utility version with a more powerful engine was offered as the 500U (later called the 500C).

The improved Hughes 500D became the primary model in 1976, with a more powerful engine, a T-tail, and new five-blade main rotor; a four-blade tail rotor was optional.[1] The 500D was replaced by the 500E from 1982 with 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.[1] Following the 1997 Boeing/McDonnell Douglas merger, Boeing sold the former MD civil helicopter lines to MD Helicopters in early 1999.

Military variants are marketed under the MD 500 Defender name.

MD 520N

NOTAR MD 520N

The MD 520N introduced a revolutionary advance in helicopter design as it dispensed with a conventional tail rotor in favour of the Hughes/McDonnell Douglas developed NOTAR system.[1]

McDonnell Douglas originally intended to develop the standard MD 520N alongside the more powerful hot and high optimised MD 530N (both were launched in January 1989 and were based on the conventional MD 500E). The MD 530N was the first to fly, on December 29 1989, the MD 520N first flew on May 1 1990. Development of the MD 530N was suspended when McDonnell Douglas decided that the MD 520N met most customer requirements for the 530N. Certification for the MD 520N was awarded on September 13 1991, and the first was delivered on December 31 that year.

On October 5, 1999, Officer Desmond J. Casey of the San Jose, CA Police Department crash landed a department operated MD-520N on a city street, in a business district. Officer Casey was killed, and later decorated for heroism for avoiding civilian cars and structures during the crash. Herman Yee, a civilian mechanic, was also on board, and was also killed. [1] The NTSB report issued no conclusions, but noted that there was corrosion on a "control conduit cap" that may have played a role in the crash. [2] Airworthiness Directive issued.[3]

In 2000, MD Helicopters announced enhancements to the MD 520N including an improved RR 250-C20R+ engine with 3-5% more power for better performance on warm days, and, with changes to the diffuser and fan rigging, increased range.

NOTAR

The NOTAR no-tail-rotor is popular with law enforcement because of its very low noise levels.[citation needed] Instead of an anti-torque tail rotor, a fan exhaust is directed through slots in the tail boom, using the Coanda effect to counteract the torque of the main rotor, and out of a controllable thruster at the end of the tail boom for yaw control.

Operators

Specifications

Model 500C

Data from The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1-2
  • Capacity: 5 total
  • Length: 30 ft 10 in (9.4 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 2 in (2.48 m)
  • Empty weight: 1,088 lbs (493 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,250 lbs (1,157 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× One Allison 250-C20 Turboshaft, 278 hp (207 kW)

Performance


MD 520N

Data from The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1-2
  • Capacity: 5 total
  • Length: 33 ft 2 in (9.78 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
  • Disc area: 586.8 sq ft (54.5 sq m)
  • Empty weight: 1,636 lbs (742 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× One Allison 250-C20R Turboshaft, 375 hp (280 kW)

Performance


MD 530F

Data from The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1-2
  • Capacity: 5 total
  • Length: 32 ft 7 in (9.94 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 9 in (2.48 m)
  • Disc area: 587.5 sq ft (54.6 sq m)
  • Empty weight: 1,591 lbs (722 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,100 lbs (1,610 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× One Allison 250-C30 Turboshaft, 375 hp (280 kW)

Performance


Popular culture

See Helicopters in popular culture.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Frawley, Gerard: The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004, page 155. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7

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