End of production - 1976
1976
MD Helicopters MD500 C (Hughes 500/500C)
H500Light Turbine HelicopterDiscontinued1969–1976
Range
—
MTOW
1,157 kg
Cruise
—
Seats
5
5 seats (pilot included)
Used price
—
The MD Helicopters MD500 C (Hughes 500/500C) is a light turbine helicopter produced between 1969 and 1976. It has 5 seats (pilot included).
Source: RAB-ANAC (data as of 11/7/2026) and Jet Tracker catalog (spec sheet reviewed on 11/7/2026).
Temporal identity
First flight
—
FAA cert.
—
ANAC cert.
—
Deliveries start
—
Units produced
—
The 369HS model on FAA type certificate H3WE, approved on 3 January 1969, was sold as the Hughes 500 and Hughes 500C, with a four-blade main rotor and an Allison 250-C18 or 250-C20 turbine. The 369HE is the same airframe with an executive interior. Maximum weight is 2,550 lb from S/N 0101 onward (2,400 lb for the first 100) and the layout is pilot plus up to four passengers.
Detailed specs
Performance
- Engine
- Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C18 or 250-C20
Cabin and comfort
- Doors
- 4 doors + rear clamshell
- Seats
- 5
- Optional air conditioning
- Yes
- Configuration
- 5 seats (1+1+3), compact egg-shaped cabin
- Typical configuration
- Crew 1 + 4 Pax
- Useful load
- 881 kg
- Noise attenuation
- Compact cabin, ANR essential
- Baggage compartment
- 13 cu ft
Avionics and engines
- Engines
- 1× Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C18 / 250-C20
Operating costs
Detailed specs pending
External dimensions
Detailed specs pending
Weights & fuel
- Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)
- 1,157 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 242 L
- Fuel capacity
- 433 lb
Cabin
Standard configuration
1 zone5 seats (pilot included)1 crew4 passengers
Typical factory configuration (curated data). The drawing below is schematic and at approximate scale; the actual layout varies by interior and year.
Cabin to scale: cross-section and profile
front cross-section · person = 1.75 m
Length
1.07 m
Width
1.37 m
Height
1.32 m
Volume
—
Baggage
—
History
Lineage
Model with no documented lineage in the manufacturer's line.
Curiosities and highlights
Curated knowledge pending.
Frequently asked questions
How many passengers does the MD Helicopters MD500 C (Hughes 500/500C) seat?
The MD Helicopters MD500 C (Hughes 500/500C) has 5 seats in total, counting the pilot seat: up to 4 passengers.