Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters To Offer Engine Upgrade for 520N
MD Helicopters engine retrofit for the MD 520N will upgrade high-hot performance.
MD Helicopters MD520N inflight over snowy mountains
MD Helicopters engine retrofit for the MD 520N will upgrade high-hot performance. (Photo: MD Helicopters)

MD Helicopters (MDH) is planning to offer a retrofit of the Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine in the MD 520N (Notar tail boom model) via an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) being developed in partnership with Columbia Helicopters, the companies announced this week. The STC is expected to be received by year-end. 

The engine upgrade installation is anticipated to take two months to complete, will be available to the fleet of 85 MD 520Ns from select MD Helicopters-authorized service centers worldwide, and is designed to improve the single-turbine engine helicopter’s hot-and-high performance. Performance improvements include 300 pounds more useful load, a 15 percent increase in available shaft horsepower and turbine operating temperature margins at 4,700 feet density altitude, and lower maintenance costs.

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