The Dutch government has cancelled a contract for eight high-gross weight MD900 Explorers for the Dutch police despite pleas from MD Helicopters (MDHI) for more time to complete certification tests that were delayed by bad weather. The government is expected to issue a new tender.
"It is disappointing as we had completed around 90% of the certification effort when the cancellation came [earlier this month]," says MDHI law enforcement sales manager Dale Christman. "We told the Dutch police we couldn't complete it because of the weather," he adds.
The tests, which raised the maximum take-off weight by around 123kg (270lb) beyond the certificated limit, required specific density altitude conditions that have been unusually difficult to find in the south-west USA in the last quarter. The area has been hit by an abnormal number of successive low-pressure systems and "we've been floating around between here and California trying to get the correct conditions," says Christman.
Despite the cancellation, MDHI has elected to continue testing, which is now around 98% complete. "We are through the most stringent stuff with both the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Authority, which was here this week," Christman adds.
GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KATE SARSFIELD IN LONDON
Source: Flight International
