Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
MD Helicopters, the new owner of the former Boeing light civil helicopter line, plans to double production by 2001, following an escalation in orders for the MD500 series, MD600N and Explorer helicopters. "Sales have gone up vertically. The flood gates have opened since we took over the company as customers have regained confidence in this product once again," says MD Helicopters.
The Mesa, Arizona-based company, a subsidiary of European Industrial group RDM, is hoping to produce about 50 aircraft by the end of the year, increasing to 75 in 2000 and 100 aircraft a year in 2001. The first MD-manufactured helicopter, an MD Explorer, is scheduled for delivery to the Mexican navy by the middle of this month, followed by delivery of the first MD-built 520N in September.
MD Helicopters is looking to transfer manufacture of the MD500/600/Explorer lines, which it acquired in January, to an adjacent site at Mesa's Falcon Field airport or another nearby airport, within 12 months. "Boeing is producing the machines under contract for a year, then we will have to find somewhere else," says MD Helicopters.
Boeing, which has retained ownership of the NOTAR anti-torque system and licence, is also contracted to provide technical and engineering support for the next five years. "If we receive enough sustained orders in Europe we will probably set up an assembly site in Rotterdam, where our Dutch headquarters are based," adds MD.
To increase the competitiveness and drive up demand, MD Helicopters is reducing the price of its aircraft. The Explorer has been slashed by $500,000 to $2.95 million, while the other models' prices will be reduced moderately.
Meanwhile, MD Helicopters' Belgian-based distributor Heli Fly, snapped up by RDM last year, is setting up a European maintenance and customer support centre in Genk, near Halem. The company, which had bid for the MD Explorer line, has sold two Explorers to the Belgian Gendarmerie.
Source: Flight International
