What Happened
New Model Offers Enhanced Lift And Endurance For Utility Missions
MD Helicopters has launched 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. The helicopter is positioned as a higher-performance evolution of the 500-series platform, with a 650-pound increase in internal payload and a 750-pound increase in external payload. The MD 564 will feature a Garmin G500TXi avionics suite with IFR capability, and MD claims operating costs could run 30% to 40% lower than those of competing aircraft. The announcement was first reported by AeroTime.