MD Helicopters Completes First MD 500E to MD 530F Conversion

MD Helicopters has announced the completion of the first conversion of an MD 500E helicopter to the MD 530F model at Thoroughbred Aviation, an MD Authorized Service Center located in Lexington, Kentucky.

This conversion marks a milestone for both the company and the MD Authorized Service Center network.

The upgrade was executed for the Cleveland Police Department, which is currently having a second MD 500E converted to the MD 530F at Thoroughbred Aviation. This initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of the MD Authorized Service Center network in delivering essential aircraft enhancements.

Ryan Weeks, President of MD Helicopters, emphasized the strong demand for such upgrades, indicating that additional performance upgrades will be certified and released throughout 2025 for the MD 500D, MD 500E, and MD 520N models.

The technical bulletin released by MD Helicopters regarding the E-to-F conversion expands the upgrade's availability across the MD Network. Key benefits of the MD 500E to MD 530F upgrade include an increase of 350 lbs. in maximum gross weight (MGW) for internal load, a 200 lbs. increase in MGW for external load, and a 198 lbs. increase in internal useful load. Additionally, the conversion provides a substantial improvement in hover out of ground effect (HOGE) performance, with an increase of 5,500 feet, or 92%.

Essential elements of the conversion involve a series of upgrades: an engine upgrade from the Rolls Royce 250-C20B/R to the Rolls Royce 250-C30, longer main rotor and tail rotor blades, an extended tail rotor driveshaft, modifications to the tail boom, new vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and updated gauges. These modifications not only elevate the aircraft’s maximum gross weight capacity to 3,350 lbs. but also enhance cruise speed and optimize flight performance, particularly in challenging operational environments.