Pilot Resources Aircraft & Ownership Aircraft Guide MD 500E

SLIDE SHOW COMPONENT

  • SLIDE SHOW COMPONENT
    An MD500E overflies Saguaro Lake north of MD Helicopters’ manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona, February 16, 2023. Photo by David Tulis.
  • SLIDE SHOW COMPONENT
    A five-blade main rotor and a Rolls-Royce M250-C20 turbine engine power an MD 500E near the MD Helicopters manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona, February 16, 2023. Photo by David Tulis.
  • SLIDE SHOW COMPONENT
    A split cowling exposes a Rolls-Royce M250-C20 turbine engine powering an MD 500E. MD Helicopters manufactures the MD500E, 520N, 530F, no tail rotor 902 Explorer, and ARMED 530F models at the Mesa, Arizona, factory February 16, 2023. Photo by David Tulis.
  • SLIDE SHOW COMPONENT
    An all-digital Garmin G500H TXi avionics suite is standard equipment. A Technisonic audio panel and radio provide mission-specific tactical support for MD Helicopters models at the Mesa, Arizona, factory February 16, 2023. Photo by David Tulis.

MD 500E

  • New Price: $2.8 million
  • Seats:
Calculate Loan Payments Aircraft valuation for older models and your trade in

Overview

  • The MD 500E is a high-performance, five-blade light utility helicopter known for its exceptional agility, powered by Rolls-Royce 250-C20B turbine engine and designed for demanding missions ranging from military to executive transport.

    MD 500E

Specifications

  • Powerplant

    Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20B, 420 shp

  • Propellers

  • Length

    23 ft 10 in

  • Height

    9 ft 8 in

  • Wingspan

    26 ft 4 in

  • Wing Area

  • Wing loading

  • Power loading

  • Cabin Width

  • Empty Weight

    1,657 lb

  • Maximum gross weight

    3,000 lb at normal operations, 3,550 lb with external loads

  • Useful load

    1,343 lb internal load, 3,550 lb external load

  • Payload with full fuel

  • Fuel capacity

    57.3 gal for main tank, ~ 25 gal for auxiliary tank

  • Baggage capacity

Performance

  • Takeoff distance ground roll

  • Takeoff distance over 50-ft obstacle

  • Rate of climb sea level

    1,770 fpm

  • Service ceiling

    16,000 ft

  • Landing distance over 50-ft obstacle

  • Landing distance ground roll

  • Cruise speed/endurance w/45-min rsv, std fuel (fuel consumption, ea engine) @ 75% power, best economy

    135 KTAS

  • Range

    235 nm

Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds

  • VX

  • VY

  • VNE

  • VS1

  • VSO

For more information, contact at or via https://www.mdhelicopters.com/models/md-500e/

All specifications are based on manufacturer's calculations. All performance figures are based on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level, gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted.