Hands On: Flying a Modern Classic, the Mighty MD Helicopters’ MD530F | Aviation International News

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Hands On: Flying a Modern Classic, MD Helicopters’ MD530F

The 369-series helicopters have been in production for more than 60 years

MD530F — The MD530F’s precision handling and performance make it a popular choice for utility operators. © MD Helicopters

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

February 1, 2024

During a visit last year with the new owners and leaders of MD Helicopters, I had an opportunity for a demo flight in the MD530F, one of the three 500-series models on the company’s production lines. As MD recovered from bankruptcy and resumed growing, the new owners focused on the most popular models, and the factory is humming with MD 500Es, MD530Fs, and the military version of the latter, the TH-AH-530 or Cayuse Warrior.

Officially, the MD530F is the marketing name for the model 369FF, derived from the Hughes model 369 that started life in 1965 as the OH-6 Cayuse military helicopter. The 530F has longer main rotor blades and a larger engine than the 500E and thus provides better performance in hot and high conditions.

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