MD500 series (520N, 530, 500C, etc)

[HELISeo]

Hi,
does anybody perform external with the 530 FF.
I would know your experiences, the performances and how it flies on external long line.
Do you maybe know if a bubble door does exist?

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused::confused::confused:

[HappiPilot]

Any current owners or operators of 500s out there, what have you found your typical hourly costs to run? MD spec sheets say around $385 an hour, but that seems kind of low to me. Maybe not though.

Trying to do some cost comparisons with B206, but the high cost of replacement Bell parts is a concern with trying to figure long term maintenance costs.

Any current industry experience with this is greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)

[Hughes500]

Well have owned both types for 25 years 500 has proved cheaper to run due to its greater speed to do the same job.
Depend what you are using machines for if just A to B then 110 kts v 125 kts so you use about 15% less fuel and less component times. Bear in mind they have the same engine so that is an easy comparison
Parts availability used to be a problem with MD now it all appears ok. All my 500's have been pretty reliable mind you not much to go wrong with a blowtorch turning a gearbox !!!!!

[tartare]

Blow torch turning a gearbox.
I love it!

[HappiPilot]

I know there will be some geographic variation on fuel costs, maintenance, etc, but have you found that MD $385 figure to be accurate? Or is that a nationwide industry average, I know its 2014 dollars, so a touch old.

[500e]

There is All ways the unexpected :{ whatever make, but just loved our 500

[Hughes500]

I have never really looked at it on the basis that I don't believe anything a manufacturer says ! Much more important does the machine do the job for you. As 500e says they can all give you a slap in the bank account ! Only major problem with the airframe I have ever had is a main transmission chip light.
engines are the same for both types but normally NGV's on N1 last about 1400 hours not 1775 ! Compressor case halves about 5 years plus if carbon fibre less if oem.

[HappiPilot]

You think it is over $400pr/hr operating cost? Trying to work a rough budget estimate for a job.

[Hughes500]

I think you would be around about correct at that figure !

[500e]

Would think that was in the ball park, def over $400 for us
Factor in hours flown V hours left on life comps As H500 says oem comp cases never seem to make TBO the FG ones do.
We had main GB re build as well as tail GB, (much wailing & gnashing of teeth):{
Spares seem to be much less of a problem now

[lamanated]

Parts are getting hard to get, MD had one mast available I was told,, we saw one part rise 300% in price in a couple yrs,,

[500guy]

Some of the more obscure parts are getting hard to come by. We waited 9 months on a d/e driveshaft.
400 seems way low to me, but I'm not the numbers guy. Since we put AFS on all of our ships 10 years ago, compressors look like new at the 1775 case half inspection, and at the 3550 TBO. Tail rotor PCU's are the only component that doesn't normally make TBO. You are lucky to get 500-600 hours out of those.