| Picture |
|
| Manufacturer |
McDonnell Douglas
|
| Type |
MD900 Explorer
|
| Introduced |
12/2/1994
|
| In production? |
Yes
|
| Units produced |
0
|
| Price US $ |
5,000,000.00
|
| Overall Length |
38.8 ft
|
| Length |
32.3 ft
|
| Height |
12 ft
|
| Width |
5.33 ft
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Description |
The MD900 Explorer is a twin turbine engine light utility helicopter. The development of this aircraft started in 1989, and was based on extensive market research among numerous helicopter operators. The MD900 is not derived from an ancestor, but is a completely new design.
It uses the NOTAR (NO TAil Rotor) system and has a carbon fibre fuselage. The NOTAR design gives the MD900 a very quiet noise footprint. It also makes it safer due to the elimination of the tail rotor. Although used by MD Helicopters, the intellectual property of the NOTAR concept is still with Boeing.
The MD900 is the first helicopter to be designed from scratch using CAD (Computer Aided Design) tools. The certification process took 23 months after the first flight, which is very fast for a completely new design.
The combination of modern technology, its quiet operation, low maintenance costs and a high safety standard make the Explorer a very competitive machine. Back in the 1990s, McDonnell Douglas expected to sell over 1000 units. However, in reality, far fewer units have been sold.
|
| Advertisement |
|
| Design features |
- NOTAR anti-torque device
- Composite rotor blades
- Energy absorbing seats
- Fuselage largely build from carbon fibre
|
The MD900 Explorer is a twin turbine engine light utility helicopter. The development of this aircraft started in 1989, and was based on extensive market research among numerous helicopter operators. The MD900 is not derived from an ancestor, but is a completely new design.
It uses the NOTAR (NO TAil Rotor) system and has a carbon fibre fuselage. The NOTAR design gives the MD900 a very quiet noise footprint. It also makes it safer due to the elimination of the tail rotor. Although used by MD Helicopters, the intellectual property of the NOTAR concept is still with Boeing.
The MD900 is the first helicopter to be designed from scratch using CAD (Computer Aided Design) tools. The certification process took 23 months after the first flight, which is very fast for a completely new design.
The combination of modern technology, its quiet operation, low maintenance costs and a high safety standard make the Explorer a very competitive machine. Back in the 1990s, McDonnell Douglas expected to sell over 1000 units. However, in reality, far fewer units have been sold.
|
|
- Advertisement -
|
Design features:
- NOTAR anti-torque device
- Composite rotor blades
- Energy absorbing seats
- Fuselage largely build from carbon fibre
|
| Persons |
8
|
| Max. Range |
189 mi
|
| Cruise Speed |
152 mph
|
| Max. Speed |
154 mph
|
| Max. rate of Climb |
2670 ft/min
|
| HOGE ceiling |
10400 ft
|
| Service Ceiling |
20000 ft
|
| Gross Weight |
6790 lb
|
| Empty Weigt |
3214 lb
|
| Useful Load |
3576 lb
|
| Fuel Capacity |
158 gallons
|
| Number of Engines |
2
|
| Engine Type |
Turbine
|
| Engine Code |
Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207E
|
| Horse Power |
711
|
| Rotorhead |
Hinge-less and bearing-less main rotorhead
|
| Number of rotorblades |
5
|
| Rotor Diameter |
33.8 ft
|
| Number of tail rotorblades |
0
|
| Tailrotor Diameter |
0 ft
|
|