MD Helicopter questions
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 50
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From: Australia
MD Helicopter questions
Two questions today ladies and gentlemen.
Question One: The MD 600N does it have hydraulic controls at all or is it like its smaller brother the 500 with none?
Question Two: What is the MD Explorer like to fly and own, we have none in Australia and have always liked the look of them. Seeing that MD Helicopters have turn themselves around thanks to Lyn Tilton, I was wondering if they will be selling a few more and how the compare to say the EC-135 and EC145?
Question One: The MD 600N does it have hydraulic controls at all or is it like its smaller brother the 500 with none?
Question Two: What is the MD Explorer like to fly and own, we have none in Australia and have always liked the look of them. Seeing that MD Helicopters have turn themselves around thanks to Lyn Tilton, I was wondering if they will be selling a few more and how the compare to say the EC-135 and EC145?
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 549
Likes: 14
From: The South
Starflex3,
You don't know what you have started!!!!
All of the MD beaters will come out of the woodwork after being dormant for so long.
The MD902 is a comparable if not better aircraft than the EC135. The EC145 is bigger but older technology.
FNW
You don't know what you have started!!!!
All of the MD beaters will come out of the woodwork after being dormant for so long.
The MD902 is a comparable if not better aircraft than the EC135. The EC145 is bigger but older technology.
FNW
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 2
From: In the air with luck
MD Helicopters - American Pride Rising to New Heights
And for something a little smaller
MD Helicopters - American Pride Rising to New Heights
Fly the dream fly 500
And for something a little smaller
MD Helicopters - American Pride Rising to New Heights
Fly the dream fly 500
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: USA (PA)
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/helicop...escription.pdf
MD
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION600N®
[...]
3.6. Flight Controls
Primary flight controls in the MD 600N® are designed to be lightweight, simple to use and easy to maintain. Equally important, they are designed to eliminate the need for hydraulic controls. All main rotor controls in the MD 600N® are of the push tube type. There are no grease fittings in the controls and required maintenance is minimized.
MD
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION600N®
[...]
3.6. Flight Controls
Primary flight controls in the MD 600N® are designed to be lightweight, simple to use and easy to maintain. Equally important, they are designed to eliminate the need for hydraulic controls. All main rotor controls in the MD 600N® are of the push tube type. There are no grease fittings in the controls and required maintenance is minimized.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Australia
It has always interested me why in Australia we have hardly any MD products (NOTAR generation anyway) kind of like the Enstrom, been around for 40 years or so (MD500C/F-28 etc) yet rare on our shores.
I understand that the 520N is a niche machine, really only good as a 4 seater and you wouldn't need one over a R44 for scenics, but as light utility maybe.
The 600N seems quite capable with 7 pax and C47 turboshaft, same engine as B407 and 1 extra pax station, is it consumer hesitation over the recent uncertainty of the company in general or local servicing/parts issues?
Would be nice to see some of these beasts in southern skies!
I understand that the 520N is a niche machine, really only good as a 4 seater and you wouldn't need one over a R44 for scenics, but as light utility maybe.
The 600N seems quite capable with 7 pax and C47 turboshaft, same engine as B407 and 1 extra pax station, is it consumer hesitation over the recent uncertainty of the company in general or local servicing/parts issues?
Would be nice to see some of these beasts in southern skies!
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 50
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From: Australia
Yes it would be.
Does anyone know what happened to the one and only 600N VH-ATH formerly owned by Renee Rivkin then Eddie Groves?
Now that MD have from all account good back up service now, hopefully we will start seeing more MD's here.
Does anyone know what happened to the one and only 600N VH-ATH formerly owned by Renee Rivkin then Eddie Groves?
Now that MD have from all account good back up service now, hopefully we will start seeing more MD's here.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 348
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From: Downwind
I understand that the 600 is best used with 6 pax. 7 pax make it unable to get out of sight of the takeoff point (allegedly, I've only ever stood on the step and looked in at one).
The 900 does look to be very good, especially now the thruster has gained an extra few inches.....
I seem to recall it's a bit short legged though - for those operating them, is it really 2.4 hrs until it goes quiet?
The 900 does look to be very good, especially now the thruster has gained an extra few inches.....
I seem to recall it's a bit short legged though - for those operating them, is it really 2.4 hrs until it goes quiet?
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: airport
Windows view from inside (VIP config):
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/gallery...erPix/M-1J.jpg
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/gallery...erPix/M-1J.jpg
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 116
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From: Adelaide, Australia
Nice interior... im sure whats outside isnt really that important anyhow for many in VIP
I always wondered why they designed it with such small cab windows tho
There have been a few Notars in Australia, Ive seen a photo from captain hollywood with a Australian helicopters 520N taking off in the background
There was white and blue 520N in adelaide recently and i missed it, was with a simular painted 500 for a few days at parafield
The ex rivkin 600N was in a tv show when it was new, the chopper came in and landed on the back of a criminals boat
It would be good to see a 900/902 in Australia... feel free to lend me the dosh
Simon
I always wondered why they designed it with such small cab windows tho
There have been a few Notars in Australia, Ive seen a photo from captain hollywood with a Australian helicopters 520N taking off in the background
There was white and blue 520N in adelaide recently and i missed it, was with a simular painted 500 for a few days at parafield
The ex rivkin 600N was in a tv show when it was new, the chopper came in and landed on the back of a criminals boat
It would be good to see a 900/902 in Australia... feel free to lend me the dosh
Simon
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: around and about
MD900/902
As I understand it original type certificate identifies the machine as 900. The type with all the Bells and Whistles including the autopilot and the Cat A modifications makes it a 902 configuration (of the TC 900 - if that doesn't confuse things too much) - VFR
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,187
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From: Waltham Abbey, Essex, UK
We may know some more at the end of the week... the basic 500 in all its forms is being produced at a fair rate mainly thanks to orders from Boein but lately the 900 has not been featuring.
It is likely that there will be a new Explorer at HAI this week but it will likely be an equipment change rather than growing something obvious like 2 tails or an extra row of seats.
The 900 was the original model but it did not comply with JAR27 so was sent back to the workshops for major mods so it could honour that first big order for ten police machines for PAS into the UK in 1994.
Mods mainly related to seperating the engines and fuel tanks but it was pretty major to actually acheive it and the Belgian Police are currently upgrading each of their 900s to 902 standard.
It is likely that there will be a new Explorer at HAI this week but it will likely be an equipment change rather than growing something obvious like 2 tails or an extra row of seats.
The 900 was the original model but it did not comply with JAR27 so was sent back to the workshops for major mods so it could honour that first big order for ten police machines for PAS into the UK in 1994.
Mods mainly related to seperating the engines and fuel tanks but it was pretty major to actually acheive it and the Belgian Police are currently upgrading each of their 900s to 902 standard.