MD600

[Venom530f]

Looking to make a purchase in the near future of a MD product. Have flown the 530F and love it, but looking at the potentially slightly more practical ( room wise ) version the 600.

Is the 600N just as maneuverable as the 530F when it comes to having some fun up there, We did some negative G maneuvers in the 530 with no hesitation, basically pull on the stick in any direction as hard as you like and you had nothing to worry about. Does the 600 maintain the same performance or is it likely to tail strike.

Also any other downsides to the 600N vs 530F, i see some love hate for the N but is there any real concerns that you cant justify?

Thanks,

[Agile]

basically pull on the stick in any direction as hard as you like and you had nothing to worry about
wow wow, delicacy = finesse = skill, lets be nice to the machine that carries you.

my reminder for today:
In a rigid rotor head (such as 600N) the flapping hinge is offset, the centrifugal forces constrain the blade to remain perpendicular to the mast.
mast moments are larger, maneuverability is enhanced, it is very unlikely to strike the tail, probably not impossible if one passes VNE in a hard way.
Picture below: the head of the maneuverability king BO105

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/777x437/rigid_rotor_head_d46b2b7c35d1e6d4a84a2ed6c7b0ca504f51e501.pn g

[Hughes500]

wow wow, delicacy = finesse = skill, lets be nice to the machine that carries you.

my reminder for today:
In a rigid rotor head (such as 600N) the flapping hinge is offset, the centrifugal forces constrain the blade to remain perpendicular to the mast.
mast moments are larger, maneuverability is enhanced, it is very unlikely to strike the tail, probably not impossible if one passes VNE in a hard way.
Picture below: the head of the maneuverability king BO105

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/777x437/rigid_rotor_head_d46b2b7c35d1e6d4a84a2ed6c7b0ca504f51e501.pn g
Er the 500 / 600 has a fully articulated rotor head not a rigid ! Cylic leads are high on the 600 . Known as a marmite helicopter you either love it or hate it ( 99% people hate it ) Now if they put a 4 blade tail rotor on it then what a machine

[RVDT]

Let's start with the really simple stuff - of the 83 built 36 have been written off in accidents i.e 43%.

Below is a list of things that the MD600 does really well -

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[Venom530f]

Let's start with the really simple stuff - of the 83 built 36 have been written off in accidents i.e 43%.

Below is a list of things that the MD600 does really well -

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LOL that is quite a list :-).....

I love the extended cabin but not sure about that near 50% ratio .. UGH....

[helispotter]

…Now if they put a 4 blade tail rotor on it then what a machine

I found this interesting snippet on Wikipedia regarding the MD600:

”…On March 8, 2017, MD Helicopters unveiled a concept variant known as the MD 6XX. Unlike the MD 600, the MD 6XX utilizes a traditional tail rotor and shares its T-tail design with the smaller MD 500/530F (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD_Helicopters_MD_500). It is currently in development, with certification originally expected in 2020. However, certification has been delayed indefinitely.”

[highrpm]

‘NOTAR tuck’ is far more pronounced in the 600 than the 902 (it really isn’t a thing in the 902 unless massively mishandling). In the 600 don’t try a right-hand turn with the wrong attitude/speed/power/wind-direction combination or it can bite with yaw right, nose down. Particularly un-fun a low level.

Other 600 drivers on here will be able to better describe, but believe it may be to do with a rapid loss of Coanda or NOTAR fan intake blanking from the fuselage in certain speed attitude combinations.

[Ascend Charlie]

A Sydney operator in the 90s used one for taking Japanese tourists to the Blue Mountains.

The wiggly tail characteristics resulted in seeing a repeat of a lot of breakfasts.

[JimEli]

FWIW, the U.S. Border Patrol didn't like them.

“Most Border Patrol pilots who have had experience flying the MD 600N
and most sector chiefs expressed strong reservations about the suitability
of the helicopter for supporting key air operations missions. In particular,
the pilots reported that the MD 600N is inferior to the smaller aircraft
being replaced for low-level, low-speed surveillance—which is a large
portion of the overall mission profile. The pilots were concerned about the
safety of the MD 600N, citing difficulty in performing emergency
procedures and with other documented problems, such as malfunctioning
of the engine control system and defective control cables. The pilots also
said that the MD 600N is generally difficult to operate and fatiguing to fly.
Two of the three local law enforcement agencies with MD 600Ns that we
spoke with shared many of these concerns.”

“The amount of time the MD 600N helicopters were unavailable because of
maintenance-related reasons also was a concern to pilots, mechanics, and
most Border Patrol sector chiefs. Border Patrol Air Operations records
show the aircraft was unavailable about 50 percent of the time between
December 1998 and March 2000. Reasons for the downtime included
delays in obtaining an engine repair contract, slow manufacturer approval
for modifications, and parts availability.”


Procurement of MD 600N Helicopters Should Be Reassessed (https://www.gao.gov/pdf/product/229672)

180 autorotation

[happyjack]

Out of interest are these issues confined to the 600 or inclusive of the 520 too?
Looking at resale prices I cannot see any differation between 520 and 500C or 500D? That is amazing?

[Tickle]

Er the 500 / 600 has a fully articulated rotor head not a rigid ! Cylic leads are high on the 600 . Known as a marmite helicopter you either love it or hate it ( 99% people hate it ) Now if they put a 4 blade tail rotor on it then what a machine

I can call the 500 / 600 the 'Vegemite helicopter' then. :)

[Hughes500]

I can call the 500 / 600 the 'Vegemite helicopter' then. :)
Well I guess you guys down under have to have a new world equivalent !
In a straight line the thing is pretty quick, it was limited to 135 knots one in Europe due to yaw issues. It would quite happily get to 145 knots straight and level

[Jabberwocky82]

I’d be happy if I didn’t have to fly a 600 again. They were definitely quick, but unpredictable at times!

The 520 is a great helicopter and far superior to the 600 in regards to handling and flyability.

The OEM support was crap before covid, I could not imagine it improved during and after it…

[Hughes500]

The best in the line is a 500D, light, fast and nimble