MD Helicopters MD 530F

Type (Muster)
Light multi-purpose turbine helicopter (leichter Mehrzweckhubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
MD Helicopters Inc.
5000 East McDowell Road
Mesa, Arizona 85215-9797
USA

Phone: 001-480/891-8014
Fax: 001-480/891-8018

General data (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 4 - 6

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C30
Power (Leistung): 485 kW (650 shp), but derated to 317 kW (425 shp) at take-off and 280 kW (375 shp) maximum continuous.

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Overall length, rotors turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 9,77 m
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 7,49 m
Height (Höhe): 2,67 m or 2,97 m with extended skids
Width over landing gear (Breite): 1,97 m
Span over tail (Leitwerksspannweite): 1,66 m
Rotor diameter (Rotordurchmesser): 8,34 m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,42 m
Main rotor disk area (Rotorkreisfläche): 54,6 sq m

Cabin length (Länge der Kabine): 2,44 m
Maximum cabin height (max. Kabinenhöhe): 1,52 m
Max. cabin width (max. Kabinenbreite): 1,31 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight, standard (Leermasse): 722 kg
Useful load (Nutzlast): 684 kg or 979 kg with external load
Usable fuel (Kraftstoff): 183 kg (64 gal)
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 1406 kg or 1700 kg with external load

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (höchstzulässige Geschwindigkeit): 282 km/h at sea level
Maximum cruise speed (Max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 248 km/h at sea level
Economical cruise speed (wirtschaftliche Reisegeschw.): 228 km/h at 5000 ft (1525 m)
Maximum operating altitude: 6096 m (20000 ft)
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 5700 m (18700 ft)
Maximum rate of climb (Steigrate): 10,5 m/s at sea level
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt, ISA): 4390 m or 3535 m at ISA + 20 deg C
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 4877 m on standard day, 4360 m at ISA + 20 deg C
Maximum Range (Reichweite): 381 km at sea level, 430 km at 5000 ft
Endurance (Flugdauer): 2.0 hours at sea level

Costs (Kosten)
Price of the MD 530F was 1,05 million US-Dollars in early 2000.
Direct operating costs were put at 211 US-Dollars/hour in 1999.

Customers (Kunden)
More than 4800 helicopters of the MD 500 family have been sold so far, including many for military use. Customers for the MD 530F include

San Diego County Sheriff's Department (delivered in March 2000)
Colombian National Police (two)
Puerto rico electric Power Authority (took two in 1999)

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Bell 206 JetRanger

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The MD 530F is a high-powered variant of the long-running MD 500 series of light helicopters. Among the changes are:

rotor diameter increased by 0,3 m
tail rotor diameter increased by 5 cm
improved transmission

History (Geschichte)
McDonnell Douglas flew the MD 530F for the first time on 22 October 1982. It was certified in July 1983, with deliveries starting in January 1984.
After a year-long search for potential buyers and US Government rejection of a sale to Bell, Boeing finally completed the disposal of its civil helicopter business (inherited from the McDonnell Douglas merger) in February 1999. Newly formed MD Helicopters took over ownership of the single and twin-engine commercial products, including the MD 530F. The company is an indirect subsidiary of RDM Holding, a European-based industrial group.
Boeing will provide technical support for up to five years and for a time continued to manufacture some parts. Assembly operations continue at the Boeing facility at Falcon Field. This was first leased by MD Helicopters but will be bought during 2000.

Last updated 14 March 2000

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