MD Helicopters, LLC (MDH) (HELI-EXPO Booth #C2729) announced upcoming changes to its Authorized Service Center (ASC) and Parts Retailer (PR) agreements at the company’s annual service center and sales representative meeting yesterday, March 6. The purpose of the changes is to help ASCs and PRs attract and retain more local MD operators and provide better service.

Included in the changes are adjustments to the network to help ensure that MD service centers are geographically aligned with the fielded fleet and MD will stop selling direct to most parties other than ASCs, PRs, and select fleet customers in an effort to funnel more business through the authorized MD network.

MDH is also actively working to transform the type certificate-based MD 500E to MD 530F upgrade to a Technical Bulletin. This move will allow qualified and approved MD Authorized Service Centers to perform the upgrade around the world. Currently, the popular E-to-F upgrade must be performed at the Mesa, Arizona facility, under the FAA-approved quality system, which is often financially and logistically challenging for many operators around the globe.

“MD Helicopters customers deserve the highest level of support in ways that best serve them where they operate,” says MD Helicopter President and CEO Brad Pedersen. “These enhancements are expected to level the playing field across our network and promote regional and local service.”