NZ tour operator Heliview buys MD600N
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Nov-12
New Zealand operator Heliview has bought an MD600N from Simm Samm Airways in India, primarily to use as a tour helicopter. Bought in September, but only registered locally on 20th November and is expected to join the active fleet imminently. Heliview is run by husband and wife Richard and Jolanda Foale, who bring complimentary skills [...]
Rolls-Royce announces new M250 upgrade kit for Bell 407 and MD600
Source: Rolls-Royce, 13-Feb-12
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, will deliver a new Value Improvement Program (VIP) upgrade kit for M250 engines, which power Bell 407 and MD600 helicopters. The upgrade will offer increased power in “hot and high” operations and reduced fuel burn. During rigorous engine tests, the VIP upgrade kit reduced fuel burn by 2 percent [...]
MD600 becomes museum piece
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Sep-11
California-based Classic Rotors have added an MD Helicopters MD600 to their collection. Back in October 2010, HeliHub.com broke the news that the US Customs and Border Protection (part of the Dept of Homeland Security) had put their MD600 fleet into desert storage at the AMARC facility in Arizona. It is one of this fleet, registered [...]
Increased Service Life for MD500/600 Inlet Barrier Filter
Source: FDC/aerofilter, 14-Sep-11
FDC/aerofilter is pleased to announce that the service life for the MD Helicopters MD500 series and MD600 inlet barrier filter elements has been increased to 4500 hours, with no limitation on the number of cleanings. In addition, the recommended service interval has been increased to 300 hours. The FAA recently approved a revision to FDC/aerofilter’s [...]
FAA approves Onboard Systems updated MD500/600 attach point
Source: Onboard Systems, 14-Sep-11
Onboard Systems, a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announced that its updated attach point kit for the MD500 & 600 aircraft has been certified by the FAA and is available for purchase. Onboard has also submitted the attach point kit to Transport Canada and EASA for certification in Canada and Europe, respectively. [...]
Arizona court declines Turkish Police MD600 crash relatives’ lawsuit
Source: Arizona Republic, 05-May-11
The company sought dismissal, with its attorneys arguing that Arizona has almost no connection to the lawsuit and that the accident wreckage, aircraft records and accident witnesses are all believed to be located in Turkey in the custody of the national police.
Dart announces EASA approval for MD600N floats
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 04-May-11
DART is pleased to announce that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received EASA approval of their Emergency Float System for MD 600N model helicopters. FAA approval has been previously received [14 years ago in 1997, notes HeliHub.com editor] The Apical MD 600N Emergency Float System consists of four emergency floats attached to the skid [...]
Indianapolis PD close to selling MD600 and restart ops with B206A
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Apr-11
Local press reports suggest that Indianapolis Police are close to selling their MD600 with an overseas buyer inspecting it around now. This aviation unit ceased operations in October 2009 under budgetary pressure, putting its MD600 flagship, two Hughes 300s and an early Bell 206A into storage. A report in July 2010 cited public safety officials [...]
Turkish Police seek 10 new light twin helicopters
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Apr-11
The Turkish Security General Directorate intends to broaden its fleet with ten new helicopters, specifically stating a need to better track suspected criminals and intervening in incidents that could erupt during mass demonstrations. Reports state that they are finding their current MD600 fleet “insufficient in most cases” citing “performance problems, particularly in high temperatures and [...]
MD Helicopters selects EMTEQ LED exterior lighting
Source: EMTEQ, 15-Mar-11
EMTEQ will begin delivery of FC Exterior Lighting to be installed on MD Helicopters’ MD 900 and MD 500 series helicopter production programs in 2Q2011. Lighting for the MD 600 series helicopter will follow later this year. MD Helicopters selected EMTEQ to design and manufacture LED exterior lighting provisions including dual mode anti-collision, position and [...]
MD’s Lynn Tilton to be honored as Living Legend of Aviation
Source: Living Legends of Aviation, 19-Jan-11
Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of private equity firm Patriarch Partners, LLC (“Patriarch”) and industrialist will be honored as “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year” at the 8th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards ceremony on January 21st at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA. Ms. Tilton is being recognized for her leadership in the [...]
MD produced 12 helicopters in 2010, not 50
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Jan-11
Around Christmas, the Living Legends of Aviation® organistion put out an invitation to this year’s event, and announcing some of the winners. In a quote from this press release they said: – “The “Legends” invite you to join them as they honor Lynn Tilton, CEO of MD Helicopters as “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year”. Ms. [...]
US Customs & Border Protection puts MD600 fleet into desert storage
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Oct-10
After investigating a number of leads, HeliHub.com can report that the US Customs & Border Protection “CBP”, part of the Dept of Homeland Security, have put their entire MD600 fleet into desert storage. They are located at AMARC – the Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center facility managed by the US Air Force Material Command located [...]
Indianapolis Police selling three helicopters to fund ongoing operations
Source: TheIndyChannel, 21-Jul-10
After exploring various options to fund air support operations, officials determined the best option would be to sell the police MD600 and two Hughes helicopters to free up money to operate the remaining aircraft.
MD Helicopters’ NOTAR fleet clocks 1,000,000 flight hours
Source: MD Helicopters, 22-Feb-10
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) today announced its fleet of NOTAR helicopters have clocked more than 1,000,000 flight hours since MDHI’s exclusive NOTAR anti-torque technology was introduced in 1991. MD Helicopters’ MD 520N, MD 600N and MD Explorer helicopters use and validate this technology. “NOTAR continues to perform to expectation and this is a significant milestone,” [...]
