Hughes/MD 500
As I understand it, the only difference between the two is, literally, the engine. A 500C/C-18 and a 500C/C-20 will have the same main transmission so the benefits of the more powerful engine are only felt in hot-and-high conditions.
500 Fan.
500 Fan.
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Yep HillerBee you will over temp the -18 before you over torque it - esp at altitude.
And for my money, if I could afford to have a private machine it would be definitely a Hughes/MD model parked in my toy shed. Depending on how much many spare slides I had as to whether it would be a C, D, E model - an F model would be the ultimate.What a beast - power to weight ratio. Screw the Notars - too gay.
And for my money, if I could afford to have a private machine it would be definitely a Hughes/MD model parked in my toy shed. Depending on how much many spare slides I had as to whether it would be a C, D, E model - an F model would be the ultimate.What a beast - power to weight ratio. Screw the Notars - too gay.
Last edited by Semi Rigid; 11th Jun 2012 at 21:53.
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You could overtorque it, Just like you could overtorque anyhting if you pull the collective up in to your arm pit. I've never flown a C-18 but I imagine you'd overtemp it quite easily on hot or days or at any reasonable altitude.
I imagine you would have trouble getting parts for the C-18 too.
I imagine you would have trouble getting parts for the C-18 too.
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The C20B has 420 HP, the C18 has 317 HP. Makes quite a lot of difference.
Whoops, didn't see the same comment above!!
Whoops, didn't see the same comment above!!
Last edited by Nigel Osborn; 11th Jun 2012 at 23:49.
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book figures
If I read the flight manual HE/HS correctly @20C
2550 lbs mtow short skids
Hover ceiling c18 4200ft
c20 8500ft
Various decrements for scavenge air, blade tape, electrics etc.
Fuel is 431 lbs usable/435 onboard standard tanks.
Ask 500 driver for an OEW
I do stand to be corrected....
2550 lbs mtow short skids
Hover ceiling c18 4200ft
c20 8500ft
Various decrements for scavenge air, blade tape, electrics etc.
Fuel is 431 lbs usable/435 onboard standard tanks.
Ask 500 driver for an OEW
I do stand to be corrected....
Last edited by catseye; 12th Jun 2012 at 09:00.
Does not require alt to over temp C18, good summer in UK at sea level full fuel & 3 UK pax 
& you will be watching TOT like a hawk on lift off, but it does go further on a lb of fuel
& you will be watching TOT like a hawk on lift off, but it does go further on a lb of fuel
Last edited by 500e; 12th Jun 2012 at 10:25.
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The biggest difference is the engine support. Rolls Royce do not support or manufacture C18 parts any longer and there are numerous parts that you cannot get for love or money. If the engine needs repairing, you had better look for a replacement. Make sure you buy a C20B powered aircraft or get the right price for a C18 powered one.
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I had a hangar full of C18 engines ......sat around for years and nobody wanted them .....they have all gone to the States now prob to go into boats .
My French thingy was a 480B ......great little machine ...v simple to fly with no vices and a perfect spot for my dog in the footwell !! Have since sold that and also sold the 500 but looking for another one if anyone knows of one for sale at the right money ..???
My French thingy was a 480B ......great little machine ...v simple to fly with no vices and a perfect spot for my dog in the footwell !! Have since sold that and also sold the 500 but looking for another one if anyone knows of one for sale at the right money ..???
I know EliAlpi have a 2,600 hr Italian-built (Breda Nardi) 500 on offer and there are a good handful of other examples in the usual places.
Unbeatable as a personal transport over short distances with just a couple of people on board. I think the 500 is perhaps the maximum 'fun' you can have in a light single (have yet to fly the Gaz).
Good hunting!
Unbeatable as a personal transport over short distances with just a couple of people on board. I think the 500 is perhaps the maximum 'fun' you can have in a light single (have yet to fly the Gaz).
Good hunting!
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N2 speed avoid range - MD 500
Hi,
Please forgive the stupid question, but could someone please tell me why steady state operations between, for example, 75% and 88% N2 are time limited?
f0xhunter
Please forgive the stupid question, but could someone please tell me why steady state operations between, for example, 75% and 88% N2 are time limited?
f0xhunter
It is to prevent resonance that will damage the turbine wheel. It is only applicable to certain third stage wheels which will eventually have to be removed from service. Transients through the range are permitted but steady state operation in that range above 85 shp are restricted to 60 seconds. See RR CEB A 1400, it explains the replacement requirements.
Last edited by Gemini Twin; 23rd Aug 2012 at 16:57.
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Thank you Gemini,
That was very helpful as was the link to the CEB. So the turbine manufacturer has established a limit that pretty much no oldish helicopter has the means to monitor compliance of? It does make purchasing helicopters a little tricky since a normal survey will not give us much insight into previous compliance.
That was very helpful as was the link to the CEB. So the turbine manufacturer has established a limit that pretty much no oldish helicopter has the means to monitor compliance of? It does make purchasing helicopters a little tricky since a normal survey will not give us much insight into previous compliance.
Erosion strips lifting, & balance 
Are there any VH blades on general release?.
VHA Begins Flight Test of New MD 530F Main Rotor Blades
Friday, July 27th, 2012
VHA began flight testing its newly redesigned MD530F main rotor blades on July 24, 2012.
Van Horn Aviation returned to flight testing this week as it celebrated a successful first flight of its MD 530F main rotor blades on July 24, 2012. The flight testing, held at the MD Helicopters facility in Mesa, Ariz., validated the design changes made to the blade since last year’s initial hover test and allows the program to move forward toward certification. VHA flight test personnel expect to continue through the various phases of flight testing through the third quarter 2012.
Are there any VH blades on general release?.
VHA Begins Flight Test of New MD 530F Main Rotor Blades
Friday, July 27th, 2012
VHA began flight testing its newly redesigned MD530F main rotor blades on July 24, 2012.
Van Horn Aviation returned to flight testing this week as it celebrated a successful first flight of its MD 530F main rotor blades on July 24, 2012. The flight testing, held at the MD Helicopters facility in Mesa, Ariz., validated the design changes made to the blade since last year’s initial hover test and allows the program to move forward toward certification. VHA flight test personnel expect to continue through the various phases of flight testing through the third quarter 2012.
Last edited by 500e; 26th Aug 2012 at 15:03.
