A new glass cockpit option for the MD Helicopters 500 single-engined turbine is nearing US Federal Aviation Administration certification, expected by the end of this month, following first flight of the new configuration today at Texas completions and maintenance centre United Rotorcraft Solutions.
The cockpit replaces standard instruments with an integrated cockpit display system, featuring two 8in (20mm) flight displays, supplied by Sagem Avionics. Texas-based United Rotorcraft Solutions designed and integrated the new cockpit and
is overseeing the flight-test programme.
United president and owner David Brigham says flight testing began today using a 500E. He expects the FAA to fly the aircraft and issue a supplemental type certificate later this month. The STC will initially cover the 500E but Brigham says it can easily and quickly be modified to also include the 500F and 520N as all three models are similar.
MD says it will begin offering the glass cockpit as an option on new MD 500 series helicopters as soon as the STC is secured. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year and the US owner-operator that loaned its helicopter for the certification programme will be able to begin using the new cockpit immediately.
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© United Rotorcraft |
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© MD HelicoptersThe new (top) and old (bottom) MD 500 cockpits |
Sagem says that it has supplied similar glass cockpits for more than 10 other helicopter types, including the Robinson R44, Bell 206 and Eurocopter AS350, but this is the first time it has partnered a manufacturer to offer the cockpit as an option on factory-delivered helicopters. Brigham says the STC will eventually be incorporated into MD’s type certificate for the 500E, 500F and 520N, allowing for the new avionic kits to be installed on the production line. Initially the avionics will need to be installed on a post-production basis.
United, which has been working on the project for nearly a year, says it will also offer the new cockpit as a retrofit to existing MD 500 operators. It says other completion centres will also be able to offer the retrofit but will need to buy the avionics kit and data package from United, which is the lead on the project with collaboration from Sagem. MD says it may also offer the cockpit as part of its own growing retrofit business.
United and Sagem say work on a similar cockpit for the MD 902 twin-engined Explorer will begin later this year. United has extensive experience with avionic installations but has never previously certified a glass cockpit. Brigham says he decided to purse the project when approached by Sagem because “there was a really good business case for doing it” when factoring in market demand and the fact that “MD wanted it on the assembly line”.
The MD 500 glass cockpit is one of several new product enhancements in the pipeline that MD hopes will rejuvenate sales. MD says it plans to offer increases in the gross weights for both the 500E and 530F by the end of this year. It says it has an engineering team now working on the project.
Last year MDHI also secured an STC for a new emergency medical services version of the Explorer, which is expected to help boost sales of the light twin. MD recently delivered the first three helicopters with this configuration, following a six-month delay as the STC took longer to secure than expected.
Source: Flight International
