Misplaced Pages

#841158

21-534: On 18 December 1992, the maiden flight was conducted, initial certification for the type followed roughly two years later. The initial model, the MD 900 , was joined by an improved successor, the MD 902 , during the late 1990s. The Explorer is currently produced by MD Helicopters . The helicopter is noted for having no tail rotor, using the NOTAR technology instead, giving its tail a unique appearance and quieter sound profile than

42-472: A chase plane , to verify items like altitude , airspeed , and general airworthiness . A maiden flight is only one stage in the development of an aircraft type. Unless the type is a pure research aircraft (such as the X-15 ), the aircraft must be tested extensively to ensure that it delivers the desired performance with an acceptable margin of safety. In the case of civilian aircraft, a new type must be certified by

63-722: A governing agency (such as the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States) before it can enter operation. An incomplete list of maiden flights of notable aircraft types, organized by date, follows. Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand ( CAA ) ( Māori : Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa ) is the government agency tasked with establishing civil aviation safety and security standards in New Zealand . The CAA also monitors adherence to those standards and

84-687: A higher level of in-house content with the intention of making it more affordable and thus boost sales. The redesign/modernisation of the MD902 Explorer was subsequently referred to the MD969 . By August 2022, while the MD Explorer series was still technically in production, some operators were facing difficulties obtaining some crucial components and the supply chain was reportedly drying up. In response, some vendors were acquiring existing airframes and stripping them for their parts. The MD Helicopters MD Explorer

105-480: A higher single engine inoperative rating, along with revised engine air inlets, improved NOTAR inlet design, and a more powerful stabiliser control system. The benefits were improvements to both range and endurance, along with an increased maximum takeoff weight. This enhanced Explorer was unofficially designated the MD 902. In May 1998, it was reported that Bell Helicopters , as part of a wider deal with Boeing , had acquired

126-557: A more traditional tail rotor. In January 1989, McDonnell Douglas Helicopters officially announced the launch of the Explorer, which it initially referred to as the MDX . Amongst other things, the Explorer was the first McDonnell Douglas helicopter to incorporate the NOTAR system from its initial design. McDonnell Douglas partnered with Hawker de Havilland of Australia , which handled the manufacturing of

147-418: Is a twin engined utility helicopter ; it is equipped with a fully- articulated five-bladed main rotor system as well as bearingless composite flexbeams and rotor hub . The fuselage is composed of composite materials , such as carbonfibre , that are resistant to corrosion even in hostile marine environments, it also incorporates lightning strike protection measures. The tail features similar construction. It

168-538: Is disputed which of the fenestron and NOTAR approaches produces less noises. Boeing retains the design rights to the NOTAR technology despite selling the former McDonnell Douglas civil helicopter line to MD Helicopters in early 1999. Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004 General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Maiden flight The maiden flight , also known as first flight , of an aircraft

189-723: Is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada -built PW200 turboshaft engines. It can be flown by a single pilot, and carry up to six passengers at a time. A key feature of the MD Explorer is the NOTAR anti-torque system; instead of a traditional tail rotor, a fan exhaust is directed out of slots in the tail boom, thus using the Coandă effect for yaw control. The benefits of NOTAR have reportedly included reduced pilot workload, greatly minimised external noise levels, and significant improvements in safety, particularly when operating in confined areas and from offshore platforms , along with general performance and controllability enhancements. It

210-587: Is responsible for enforcement proceedings. The authority "investigates and reviews accident and incident investigations in its capacity as the responsible safety and security authority, subject to the limitations set out in section 14(3) of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990" (TAIC). CAA is also responsible for managing civilian pilot, aerodrome and aircraft licensing in New Zealand. The CAA has its headquarters in

231-415: Is the first occasion on which it leaves the ground under its own power. The same term is also used for the first launch of rockets . In the early days of aviation it could be dangerous, because the exact handling characteristics of the aircraft were generally unknown. The maiden flight of a new type is almost invariably flown by a highly experienced test pilot . Maiden flights are usually accompanied by

SECTION 10

#1732884133842

252-610: The maiden flight of the Explorer took place, performed by ship #2 (N900MD). On 2 December 1994, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for the Explorer was granted, permitting its use in North America; Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) certification was received shortly thereafter. However, certification of the Explorer's instrument flight rules (IFR) capability was protracted due to technical difficulties with integration; in February 1997, FAA certification for IFR operations

273-455: The 2000s, the company recovered from its financial woes and invested in the replenishment of its supply chain. In the 2010s, the manufacturer dedicated considerable attention to renewing the avionics of the type, such as the addition of a glass cockpit . During 2013, it was announced that MDHI had selected Universal Avionics’ InSight display system for the MD 902 Explorer, replacing the original cathode ray tube (CRT) displays; four years later,

294-720: The Asteron Centre in Featherston Street, Wellington. Before a Civil Aviation portfolio was created in 1946, ministerial authority had rested with the Minister of Defence . The position of Minister for Civil Aviation was abolished just before the 1990 election where after aviation remained under the Minister of Transport. However the government formed the Civil Aviation Authority in 1992 to regulate aviation separately from

315-477: The Explorer, to the newly formed MD Helicopter Holdings Inc. (MDHI). During November 1999, the JAA recommended that all 27 member nations certify the Explorer series for Category A single pilot IFR operations. In September 2000, the first Explorers had been delivered with the further improved PW207E engine, which provided improved hot and high performance, as well as when flown with only a single engine operational. During

336-715: The MD 900/902 Explorer series, permitting the restriction-free importing of the type into the country. That same year, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved an increased maximum gross weight of 6,770 pounds for the MD 900/902 Explorer, increasing its maximum payload capacity by 270 pounds; this increase had been already approved by the FAA in March 2013. Reportedly, by 2015, almost 50 percent of all MD 900/902 Explorers produced were being operated in Europe in three areas of

357-539: The airframes. A total of ten prototypes were constructed, seven of which being used for ground-based tests. McDonnell Douglas Helicopters became a launch customer for Pratt & Whitney Canada 's PW200 turboshaft engines, for which it had an exclusive agreement to power the first 128 Explorers with pairs of PW206As. While plans had been mooted to offer the Turbomeca Arrius powerplant as an alternative option, these were subsequently discarded. On 18 December 1992,

378-480: The company started offering an alternative arrangement with Genesys Aerosystems . In January 2020, the company announced a new partnership with Universal Avionics, effectively switching back to the vendor, under which the latter would provide their fully-digital flight deck avionics for the MD 900/902 Explorer. In October 2015, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ) granted type acceptance to

399-408: The market: emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement and military/para-military organizations. The EMS sector has been a deliberately selected focus area for MDHI; during 2011, the firm forecasted that Middle Eastern operators would require several hundred EMS rotorcraft over the coming years. During March 2015, MDHI announced that it was in the process of redesigning the MD Explorer with

420-551: The rights to support and produce spare components for the Explorer; however, this deal did not include the ability to perform final assembly or otherwise produce complete rotorcraft. Accordingly, it was speculated that the deal could impact the long-term future of the Explorer. However, these plans were terminated due to the intervention of the US Federal Trade Commission . Instead, in the following year, Boeing opted to spin off its civilian line of helicopters, including

441-460: Was finally received. On 29 May 1997, all Explorers were temporarily grounded following the discovery of a broken drive-link; during the following month, flight operations resumed after the FAA gave its approval of a redesigned component that addressed the issue. During September 1997, a range of improvements to the Explorer were introduced. These included the availability of the PW206E engine, which had

SECTION 20

#1732884133842
#841158