MD Helicopters MD 500C

4-occupant turbine helicopter · Private helicopters · in production 1966-1976 · See its reach on the 3D globe

Photo: R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection · Public domain

Indicative 1971 market price€121k to €144k

Estimated annual cost at 80 h€199k

Five-year cash outlay€1.12m

Key figures

Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.

Seats	4
Reported payload proxy	270 kg
Reported range	268 nm
Practical planning radius (4 people)	Not used for mission ranking
Cruise speed	131 kt
Runway need	Vertical
Pressurised	No
Fuel	Jet A-1
Fixed annual base	€30k
Direct cost per flight hour	€700

The ownership trade-off

The MD 500C combines 4-seat helicopter capability with about 268 NM reported range and about 131 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

Cost picture at different usage

40 hours/year: about €171k per year ( €4263 per flight hour all-in)
80 hours/year: about €199k per year ( €2481 per flight hour all-in)
120 hours/year: about €227k per year ( €1888 per flight hour all-in)
180 hours/year: about €269k per year ( €1492 per flight hour all-in)

Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €99k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.

Where it fits well

131 kt cruise supports efficient local and regional flying.
268 nm reported range is retained for profile context, but PlaneFit does not use it for mission ranking yet.
270 kg reported payload proxy and 4 seats define the cabin context pending source-level normalization.

Limitations to price honestly

The MD 500C combines 4-seat helicopter capability with about 268 NM reported range and about 131 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
€30k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
Component life and mission-specific landing permissions dominate real-world utility.

Recommended missions

Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
Recreational, training or personal travel where operating efficiency is more important than airline-like speed.