MD Helicopters has revealed that it has launched an STC project that aims to certify the installation of the Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine in the 520N, the NOTAR variant of the 500 series helicopters. The 650-shp RR250-30C is the same engine used in the 530F and Cayuse Warrior variants. MD Helicopters said the upgrade will significantly boost the hot and high performance of the 520N.
MD Helicopters has partnered with Columbia Helicopters to develop the STC, but when certification is completed, by year-end, MD Helicopters will licence a number of its Authorised Service Centres to carry out the retrofit.
“There are 85 MD520Ns flying today,” explains MD Helicopters’ CEO, Brad Pedersen, “This engine upgrade offers an improvement for those aircraft by significantly boosting power, performance, and cost savings for MD 520N NOTAR operators.”
Complimentary Maximum Gross Take Off Weight Upgrade for all MD 530F Helicopters
MD Helicopters is also offering its MD 530F Maximum Gross Take Off Weight (MGTOW) Upgrade to operators of all MD 530F model helicopters as part of the company’s continuing efforts to increase customer support and service. The upgrade increases MGTOW from 3,100 to 3,350 lb. The MGTOW upgrade is an internal weight increase. VNE with the new MGTOW is 150 knots. Maximum external load gross weight, minimum flying weight, and the centre of gravity remain unchanged.
The upgrade consists of a new rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) supplement assigned to the aircraft serial number and a VNE IAS (knots) placard reflecting the increased MGTOW for display in the aircraft. Any MD Helicopters’ Authorised Service Centre can perform the upgrade. Depending on the service centre’s workload availability, an MD 530F MGTOW upgrade could be performed in less than a month from request.
