MD Helicopters gains FAA Certification for MD 530N upgrade

MD Helicopters has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its MD 530N upgrade. The upgrade provides an improvement in performance for NOTAR (No Tail Rotor) operators, claims the manufacturer.

The new approval enables operators to replace the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine with the more powerful Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine. This significantly improves aircraft performance – particularly in hot-and-high environments where increased power and hover capability are important and critical to safer operations.

Specifically designed for the global fleet of MD 500N aircraft, the upgrade addresses long-standing operator demand for improved performance while preserving the safety, simplicity, and low acoustic signature of the NOTAR system.

“The MD 530N upgrade represents a major step forward for our NOTAR operators,” said Ryan Weeks, president and CEO of MD Helicopters. “This STC restores and enhances the performance operators expect, while preserving the unique advantages of the NOTAR system.”

The MD 530N upgrade is available through MD Helicopters’ Authorised Service Centre network. The MSRP is $395,000 USD, including labour, and excludes the Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine. The cost of a new MD 530N is about $2m-$3m – depending on specification.

Operators may procure an engine through an Authorised Service Centre or supply their own eligible engine. Removed components retain residual value, which may be recovered by the operator and can significantly offset the effective cost of the upgrade.