Overview
The MD 500E is the pointed-nose evolution of the Hughes 500, a compact, agile turbine single with a five-blade rotor that is a favorite for utility, powerline and police work.
Key points
- Egg-shaped fuselage from the OH-6 Cayuse
- Very low empty weight for a turbine
- Simple, field-maintainable systems
Mission fit
Light turbine single class- Tours, utility and law-enforcement work with four to six seats
- Hot-and-high operations where turbine power matters
- External-load and aerial-work roles
In the U.S. charter fleet
FAA Part 135 · MD 500 / Hughes 369 family62aircraft on Part 135 certificates
33charter operators
Most based in HI (20), AK (17), CA (4), TN (3), ID (3).
Operators include SOLOY HELICOPTERS LLC, Temsco Helicopters, Inc, JOE BRIGHAM INC, BLUVISTA AVIATION LLC, Helicopter Roundup Services LLC, Winco Inc.
Counts cover the FAA type-certificate family named above, which can include earlier variants of the same airframe. Source: our Part 135 operator database, updated monthly. Browse operators.
Compare in class
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