Hughes/MD 500
New blades for the MD500.
This might be good news for Hughes/MD500 owners and operators;
Van Horn Aviation Conducts Successful First Flight Test of Composite MD 500 Main Rotor Blades | Vertical - Helicopter News
It sounds like those blades might be a little quieter. It's hard to tell from a video, but the usual high-frequency blade tip noise seems to be missing with these new blades.
500 Fan.
Van Horn Aviation Conducts Successful First Flight Test of Composite MD 500 Main Rotor Blades | Vertical - Helicopter News
It sounds like those blades might be a little quieter. It's hard to tell from a video, but the usual high-frequency blade tip noise seems to be missing with these new blades.
500 Fan.
Last edited by 500 Fan; 12th Apr 2011 at 15:26.
Blade tip noise from the Main Rotor?
How come a 4 blade TR machine is so quiet with original blades?
How come a 4 blade TR machine is so quiet with original blades?
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Wait till it is tracked and see what it really sounds like.
I thought most of that noise was tail rotor myself. The main rotor blades are fairly quiet until an increased g turn and let-down.
I know a 520N overflight at 200 feet at low power is extremly quiet with the metal blades.
I will be interesting to see when they announce forward flight testing.
I thought most of that noise was tail rotor myself. The main rotor blades are fairly quiet until an increased g turn and let-down.
I know a 520N overflight at 200 feet at low power is extremly quiet with the metal blades.
I will be interesting to see when they announce forward flight testing.
Last edited by mfriskel; 12th Apr 2011 at 23:58.
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Hey 500 Fan, I can hear no difference whatsoever for these m/r blades. You will not be able to tell unless the tail noise is reduced. Noise reduction is all hype by Van Horn & MD to sell these new blades
Noise
Hm dont think so, had a 520 and a 500e both start up the other day, as soon as the e model wound up the total noise from the notar had been drowned out by the e's tail rotor !!
Will the blades = more auw ? Presumably that will depend upon the tail rotor to provide the anti torqe. Would be more than happy not to have corrosion and erosion strip problems though. just bought a new set of blades from htc
Mind you would prefer another operator to try them first !!!
Hm dont think so, had a 520 and a 500e both start up the other day, as soon as the e model wound up the total noise from the notar had been drowned out by the e's tail rotor !!
Will the blades = more auw ? Presumably that will depend upon the tail rotor to provide the anti torqe. Would be more than happy not to have corrosion and erosion strip problems though. just bought a new set of blades from htc
Mind you would prefer another operator to try them first !!!
Lower noise or not?
The only way to categorically prove these new blades are quieter is to perform some kind of noise evaluation testing with a machine with standard blades and one with the Van Horn blades. Maybe that will form part of the test programme at some point. In the section of the video between 0:23 and 0:32, during the sidewards hover, the main blade noise seems to be quieter than you would expect. It certainly sounds "different".
500 Fan.
500 Fan.
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MD500 for self fly Hire
Hi All
I cant find the thread but someone was asking if anyone knew of a 500 in the UK for self fly hire, Fast Helicopters now have one at Shoreham - a 500D with E nose conversion 20b engine - and an autopilot. Not sure of the rates but i heard they will hire to pilots with around 50 turbine hours any type and type rated for the 500, - they will also do type ratings on it if needed
The guy dealing with it at Fast is Spencer Phillips and his number is Mob: +44 (0)7917 602789 or +44 (0)1273 465389
I cant find the thread but someone was asking if anyone knew of a 500 in the UK for self fly hire, Fast Helicopters now have one at Shoreham - a 500D with E nose conversion 20b engine - and an autopilot. Not sure of the rates but i heard they will hire to pilots with around 50 turbine hours any type and type rated for the 500, - they will also do type ratings on it if needed
The guy dealing with it at Fast is Spencer Phillips and his number is Mob: +44 (0)7917 602789 or +44 (0)1273 465389
Change in tail from Y to T between C and D models
Can someone provide more details as to why this change was made? A search of the internet reveals it was done for stability reasons. In what area(s) of the flight envelope does having a different tail configuration matter? I am a low time fixed wing pilot so you'll have to use small words. 
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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From what I was told file.
During my short time there at MDHI 08-10 I was aloud to inform my maintenance student this: In 1976 the 369D was Certificated (500D). The helicopter was considerably difference from the 369H series. The 369D had 5 main rotor blades (vs4) a "T" tail (vs "V" tail, a stronger drive system, and a Allison 250-C20B engine (420 shp).The Max speed was increased to 175mph (vs 150mph)
(I was Told)
The speed increase was the main reason for T Tail. Air going over the main rotor disc stablized by the T Tail. Keeps aircraft from rolling over forward in high speed. Note: 1975-76 was the early YAH 64 Apache prototype flight period, Look at a early photo of the Tail section. (uniformity in marketing T tailed aircraft?
"Hughes") T-Tail went away on the Boeing AH64. I was told the V-Tail out performed the T-tail in most flight envelopes but yet the Spec-Op folks have retained a T-tail variant.I hope this helps, It may be all rumor and trash
(I was Told)
The speed increase was the main reason for T Tail. Air going over the main rotor disc stablized by the T Tail. Keeps aircraft from rolling over forward in high speed. Note: 1975-76 was the early YAH 64 Apache prototype flight period, Look at a early photo of the Tail section. (uniformity in marketing T tailed aircraft? "Hughes") T-Tail went away on the Boeing AH64. I was told the V-Tail out performed the T-tail in most flight envelopes but yet the Spec-Op folks have retained a T-tail variant.I hope this helps, It may be all rumor and trash
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Info Requested
Hello all,
I'm looking to upgrade a Hughes 500D with a filter kit. Currently all it has installed is the turkey catcher screen.
I'm looking at both the FSD/Aerofilter and the AFS system. The FSD seems like the better option at this point due to cost, filter life and ease of install.
Anyone have any experience with either system?
My biggest concern is performance, since we don't have anything right now I wonder how much TOT may increase.
I'm looking to upgrade a Hughes 500D with a filter kit. Currently all it has installed is the turkey catcher screen.
I'm looking at both the FSD/Aerofilter and the AFS system. The FSD seems like the better option at this point due to cost, filter life and ease of install.
Anyone have any experience with either system?
My biggest concern is performance, since we don't have anything right now I wonder how much TOT may increase.
Put an AFS on a 500D if you ask me seemed to lower the tot. Only had the mesh screen before. Took 3 days to fit the doghouse plus you have to buy a differential pressure switch as the afs kit doesnt come with one ! By the time you have finished with the extra parts not included and painted your doghouse an extra $ 5k but bloody good
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Collecteve mounted Manual Release lever for MD 500?
Anyone ever seen a 500 with a manual hook release mounted on the collective? It was a mod for older float systems.
If you have, I would appriciate pictures or would offer to buy the unit.
If you have, I would appriciate pictures or would offer to buy the unit.
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Collective mounted Hook release
Sorry but no pix.
It's exactly the same as the popout release.
But be careful. I was supervising a new 133 operator and he pulled the hook release with the load "SPLAT" at about 100ft.
I always pulled the circuit breaker until I was actually pulling torque.
But definitely beats the collective mounted "bicycle brake" model. What a joke. I know of some crashes because it takes 2 hands to pull the thing.
It's exactly the same as the popout release.
But be careful. I was supervising a new 133 operator and he pulled the hook release with the load "SPLAT" at about 100ft.
I always pulled the circuit breaker until I was actually pulling torque.
But definitely beats the collective mounted "bicycle brake" model. What a joke. I know of some crashes because it takes 2 hands to pull the thing.