MD Helicopters have launched the its latest model the MD564 with the early delivery positions for the type, first announced at VERTICON in March, now available.
The MD 564™ takes a 530F airframe and adds a six-blade fully articulated main rotor system from the Little Bird military helicopter, a four-blade tail rotor, and the 600-shp Rolls-Royce 250-C47. Initial performance calculations include a 4,750 lb. maximum gross weight with external load, a 2,500 lb. cargo hook capacity, 414 NM range with 4-hour endurance on main and auxiliary fuel, hover out of ground effect at maximum takeoff weight up to 14,500 ft, a 27.5 ft main rotor diameter, and the company says, an operating cost of less than $900 per flight.
The aircraft is aimed at the work operators currently split across two fleets: utility line construction and patrol, wildland fire support, law enforcement, search and rescue, and remote cargo.
“Operators told us what they wanted: the 500-series they already trust, with more lift and more margin,” said Ryan Weeks, Chief Executive Officer of MD Helicopters. “The MD 564 is that aircraft, and the early response to the reservation book tells us we’re building the right machine.”
MD is operating a simple ‘first come, first served” system with delivery positions with slots allocated in the order that signed agreements and cleared deposits are received. Deposits are fully refundable until a purchase agreement is executed. Following FAA certification, position holders will convert their reservations to purchase agreements in sequence.
“Every operator conversation starts with the same math,” added Luis Trejo, Senior Director of Business Development. “Long-light performance at short-light operating cost changes what one airframe can cover on a certificate. Reserving a production position is how operators hold their place in that line.”
Image: MD Helicopters
