MD Helicopters MD 500E

Type (Muster)
Light multi-purpose turbine helicopter (leichter Mehrzweckhubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
MD Helicopters Inc.
5000 East McDowell Road
Mesa, Arizona 85215-9797
USA

Phone: 001-480/891-8014
Fax: 001-480/891-8018

General data (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 4 - 6

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20B or 250-C20R turbine engine as an option
Power (Leistung): 1 x 313 kW (420 shp), derated to 280 kW (375 shp) for take-off or 261 kW (350 shp) maximum continuous. The -C20R is rated at 336 kW (450 shp), but derated to the same performance, thus giving more reserves under hot and high conditions.

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Overall length, rotors turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 9,4 m
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 7,49 m
Height (Höhe): 2,67 m or 2,97 m with extended landing gear
Width over landing gear (Breite): 1,91 m
Span over tail (Leitwerksspannweite): 1,65 m
Rotor diameter (Rotordurchmesser): 8,05 m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,37 m
Main rotor disk area (Rotorkreisfläche): 50,89 sq m

Cabin length (Länge der Kabine): 2,44 m
Maximum cabin height (max. Kabinenhöhe): 1,52 m
Max. cabin width (max. Kabinenbreite): 1,34 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight, standard (Leermasse): 672 kg or 688 kg with 250-C20R engine
Useful load (Nutzlast): 689 kg or 673 kg with 250-C20R engine
Usable fuel (Kraftstoff): 183 kg (64 gal)
Max. hook capacity (Zuladung am Haken): 907 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 1361 kg or 1610 kg with external load

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. permitted speed (höchstzulässige Geschwindigkeit): 282 km/h at sea level
Maximum cruise speed (Max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 249 km/h at sea level, 246 to 252 km/h at 5000 ft (1525 m)
Economical cruise speed (wirtschaftliche Reisegeschw.): 239 km/h at sea level, 228 km/h at 5000 ft
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 4877 m (16000 ft) certification limit
Max. rate of climb (max. Steigrate): 9 m/s at ISA + 20 deg C
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt, ISA): 1829 m on standard day, or 945 m at ISA + 20 deg C. This rises to 2655 m and 1250 m respectively with the higher-powered engine
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 2590 m on standard day, 1829 m at ISA + 20 deg C. For the high-power engine this rises to 3445 m and 2100 m respectively
Maximum Range (Reichweite): 443 km at sea level, 488 km at 5000 ft or 431 km and 478 km respectively for the version with Allison 250-C20R engine
Endurance (Flugdauer): 2.8 to 3.6 hours

Costs (Kosten)
The MD 500E sold for 820000 US-Dollars in early 2000, compared with around 835000 US-Dollars in 1997. Thre price will rise to 825000 US-Dollars in 2001.
Direct operating costs were put at 189 US-Dollars/hour in 1999.

Customers (Kunden)
More than 4600 helicopters of the MD 500 family have been sold so far, including many for military use. Customers of the MD 500E include:

DeKalb County Police Department (Georgia)
Columbus Police Department (Ohio)

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Bell Model 206 JetRanger

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The MD 500E is a further evolution of the MD 500 series of single-engine light helicopters. Changes include

more space for front and rear occupants
lower bulkhead behind front seats
T-tail and quiet tail rotor

History (Geschichte)
The MD 500E flew for the first time on 28 January 1982, with deliveries starting in December of that year. It replaced the MD 500D in production. The Allison 250-C20R engine became available in late 1998.
After a year-long search for potential buyers and US Government rejection of a sale to Bell, Boeing finally completed the disposal of its civil helicopter business (inherited from the McDonnell Douglas merger) on 19. February 1999. Newly formed MD Helicopters took over ownership of the single and twin-engine commercial products, including the MD 500E. The company is an indirect subsidiary of RDM Holding, a European-based industrial group.
Boeing will provide technical support for up to five years and at first continued to manufacture parts. MD Helicopters is using some of the exisiting Boeing facilities at Falcon Field in Mesa and intends to purchase them in 2000. Also, subcontracts are to be re-arranged to bring down costs.

Last updated 14 March 2000

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