Amy Wilder is a private pilot with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor in a career spanning journalism, marketing, and communications. 
She has worked in aviation journalism since 2023, combining a lifelong passion for flight and a love of the aviation community with a penchant for storytelling. As a licensed pilot, she brings firsthand insight to the stories she covers, lending an authentic, on-the-ground perspective to industry coverage.
She holds a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, both from St. John&#039;s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Culture.

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Amy Wilder

MD Helicopters received FAA supplemental type certificate approval for an upgrade kit that replaces the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine with the -C30 engine on MD 500N helicopters.
According to the Mesa, Arizona-based OEM, the engine swap improves performance in hot-and-high environments while retaining the no tail rotor (Notar) system. Benefits include increased horsepower, enhanced hover performance, higher operational ceiling, and better safety margins in high-temperature and high-altitude conditions.
“This STC restores and enhances the performance operators expect, while preserving the unique advantages of the Notar system,” said MD Helicopters president and CEO Ryan Weeks.
Priced at $395,000 (including labor but excluding the engine), the upgrade kit is available immediately through the company’s authorized service center network. Operators can buy an engine from a service center or provide their own. MD Helicopters said removed components retain residual value that operators can recover to offset the upgrade cost.&nbsp;
This engine upgrade is part of the company’s Fielded Fleet Upgrade initiative aimed at maintaining capability for legacy aircraft. MD Helicopters has manufactured rotorcraft since 1947, with thousands of aircraft in service worldwide supporting military, law enforcement, utility, commercial, and VIP operations.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

MD Helicopters Receives FAA STC for MD 530N Engine Upgrade Package

Upgrade swaps C20B engine for more powerful C30

MD Helicopters received FAA STC approval for an MD 530N upgrade that replaces the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine with the more powerful 250-C30 model.

MD Helicopters Receives STC for Engine Upgrade Kit

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

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Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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MD Helicopters

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