New Model Offers Enhanced Lift And Endurance For Utility Operators

MD Helicopters has introduced the MD 564, a new light-single-engine helicopter designed to offer increased lift, endurance, and hot-and-high capability. The MD 564 combines a six-blade main rotor, a four-blade tail rotor, and a Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/3 engine with dual-channel FADEC. According to MD, the helicopter will deliver a 650-pound increase in internal payload and a 750-pound increase in external payload over legacy 500-series aircraft. The MD 564 will also feature a Garmin G500TXi avionics suite with IFR capability, which could broaden its appeal beyond traditional utility operators. The announcement was first reported by AeroTime.