End of production - 1982
1982
MD Helicopters MD500 D (Hughes 369D)
H500Light Turbine HelicopterDiscontinued1976–1982
Range
260 NM · 482 km
MTOW
1,361 kg
Cruise
135 kt · 250 km/h
Seats
5
5 seats (pilot included)
Used price
—
The MD Helicopters MD500 D (Hughes 369D) is a light turbine helicopter produced between 1976 and 1982. It has a range of 260 nm, a cruise speed of 135 kt (250 km/h), 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
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FAA cert.
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ANAC cert.
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Deliveries start
—
Units produced
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The Hughes 500D is the commercial name of the 369D model on FAA type certificate H3WE (approved 8 December 1976), with an Allison 250-C20B turbine (420 shp nominal, limited to 375 shp for takeoff), a five-blade main rotor and a T-tail. Maximum weight is 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) and the cabin carries a pilot plus three or four passengers. It was replaced by the 369E (MD 500E), approved in December 1982.
Detailed specs
Performance
- Engine
- Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20B, 420 shp nominal (375 shp takeoff)
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-C20B (420 shp)
Operating costs
- Data source
- https://www.aircraftcostcalculator.com/AircraftOperatingCosts/522/MD+500E · https://conklindedecker.jetsupport.com/details/MD%20Helicopters%20MD%20500E · https://boltflight.com/md-500e-price-and-operating-costs/ · https://www.mdhelicopters.com/models/md-500e/ · https://helicoptermaintenancemagazine.com/article/rolls-royce-m250-engine-lessons-field · https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/565460-c20b-overhaul-costs.html
- Fuel burn
- 30 gal/h
- Last updated
- 2026
- Rotor overhaul interval
- 3,000 h
- Engine overhaul interval
- 3,500 h
External dimensions
Detailed specs pending
Weights & fuel
- Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)
- 1,361 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
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History
Lineage
Model with no documented lineage in the manufacturer's line.
Curiosities and highlights
Curated knowledge pending.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the MD Helicopters MD500 D (Hughes 369D)?
The maximum range is 260 nm (260 NM · 482 km).
How fast is the MD Helicopters MD500 D (Hughes 369D)?
Cruise speed is 135 kt, equivalent to 250 km/h.
How many passengers does the MD Helicopters MD500 D (Hughes 369D) seat?
The MD Helicopters MD500 D (Hughes 369D) has 5 seats in total, counting the pilot seat: up to 4 passengers.