Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

MD Helicopters MD 500, 500D, 500E, 500ER, 520N, and 530F

Matt Thurber

MD Helicopters today took the wraps off its newest helicopter model, the MD 564, an iteration of the MD500 series with six main rotor blades, a four-bladed tail rotor, and improved performance. Entry into service is expected at the end of 2027 or early 2028.
The MD 564 is not a clean-sheet design but an update of the MD 500 series type certificate. It&nbsp;will be powered by the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/3 engine with dual-channel Fadec, delivering 675 shp—up from the MD530F’s 650-shp 250-C30 (Series IV) engine. It will have a 400-nm range and&nbsp;4-hour endurance with main and auxiliary fuel.&nbsp;The main rotor system has a diameter of 27 feet 6 inches.
Price will be $4 million, but the direct operating cost will be lower than that of other light&nbsp;singles, a spokesman for the company stated.
At mtow, hover out-of-ground-effect is “up to 14,500 feet,” according to MD Helicopters. Internal payload will be “up to 650 pounds” higher and external payload “up to 750 pounds” greater than legacy 500-series aircraft.
Like the 530F, the MD 564 features Garmin avionics, including the G500 TXi touchscreen display, and will be IFR-capable. MD Helicopters does not plan to equip the MD 564 with an autopilot but may consider doing so in the future. "What we’re doing now is seeking [voice of the customer input] to ensure we launch with the right total package," he explained.
According to MD Helicopters, “One of the defining advantages of the MD 564 is the ability to deliver long light-single [helicopter] performance in a short light-single footprint. For utility and aerial work operations, meaningful increases in lift typically require stepping into aircraft like the Bell 407 or Airbus H125, along with their higher acquisition and operating costs.”

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