Yesterday, we ran the press release to say that Sapura Aero in Malasyia have been appointed by MD Helicopters  as an authorized representative serving Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.  Further down the text of the manufacturer’s press release, it was revealed that part of the agreement was an order and sold to a new MD600N and sold to Sapura to “demonstrate the capabiliteis of the MD 600N to private/VIP owners, EMS operators, and law enforcement and security services”.

This sparked our curiosity, as very few MD600s have been made in recent years.  In fact since the start of 2010, we found just six, analysis as follows

MSN RN078 reg with FAA as N42824 in 2010 and sold to Meghna Group, Bangladesh
MSN RN079 reg with FAA as N4289Z in 2010 and sold to Conduspar Condutores Eletricos Ltda, Brasil
MSN RN080 reg with FAA as N4291N in 2011 and sold to Asian Aerospace Corporation, Philippines
MSN RN081 reg with FAA as N4298P in 2012 and sold to Ministry of Public Security, Costa Rica
MSN RN082 reg with FAA as N4205W in 2012 and sold to Ministry of Public Security, Costa Rica
MSN RN083 reg with FAA as N60683 in 2014 unsold – still registered to MD Helicopters

It is reasonable to assume that the last one listed – which has probably sat at the factory in Mesa for over two years in primer awaiting a customer – will be delivered to Sapura Aero.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com