Helicopters Magazine

News Commercial
Wilson Construction invests in aircraft modernization with MD Helicopters

August 5, 2020  By Helicopters Staff


Wilson Construction takes delivery of its newly certified MD 530F conversion completed by MD Helicopters. (Photo: MD Helicopters)

MD Helicopters Inc. delivered a newly certified MD 530F to Wilson Construction headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, which upgraded one of its four MD 500E helicopters to the FAA-certified MD 530F model aircraft.

An operator of MDHI-brand helicopters since 2005, Wilson Construction had delivered its E-model aircraft to be overhauled and re-certified as an F-model (Type Certificate 369FF) at MD Helicopters’ Mesa-Arizona manufacturing and completions centre.

“The E-to-F conversion program is one of our most popular and valuable aftermarket services,” said Nick Nenadovic, VP of aftermarket and customer support, MD Helicopters. “This [capability] unique to MD Helicopters is an outstanding resource for E-model operators who want to affordably upgrade the capability of their aircraft with minimal downtime.”

Wilson Construction for more than 20 year has provided helicopter operations in the electric utility construction industry. The company holds a fleet of seven helicopters, including six MDHI-brand aircraft. Upon completion of this conversion, the Wilson Construction rotorcraft fleet will include three MD 500E and three MD 530F helicopters.

Advertisement

MD Helicopters explains its exclusive E-to-F conversion program allows for the maintenance of essential safety margins while delivering increased hot-and-high performance capability. Specific enhancements to the Wilson Construction aircraft include: An engine upgrade from the Rolls Royce 250-C20B to the more powerful RR250-C30; replacement of the main rotor and tail rotor blades; upgraded F model main rotor gearbox; and an Onboard Systems Dual Cargo Hook.

Additionally, MDHI will provide an overall interior and exterior refresh including a new three-colour paint scheme, updated interior paint, new seating and updated flight controls.

“The simplicity and reliability of our MD 500-series aircraft is really the backbone of our nationwide operations,” said Ron Stewart, director of operations, Wilson Construction. “Often tasked to work in extreme environments, the conversion of this aircraft to a truly, like-new MD 530F will allow us to maintain our high level of availability and outstanding safety margins even in warmer, higher-elevation environments, meeting customer requirements more effectively and efficiently than ever before.”

Advertisement

Stories continue below

Print this page

Related

Tags