MD Helicopters has received FAA approval of its new all-glass cockpit for the MD 530F (type certificate 369FF) as a production and type design option. The new cockpit features the Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert System (EICAS), Garmin G500H TXi electronic flight instruments (EFIS) with touchscreen GDU 700P PFD/MFD and Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen navcom/GPS, and an optional L3 ESI 500 electronic standby instrument.

“Efforts to obtain type design certification for this cockpit configuration for remaining MD Helicopters single-engine models is ongoing,” the company said, noting that last year it certified retrofit all-glass cockpits for both the MD 530F and the MD 600N. Deliveries of production aircraft with the new cockpit have already started, with aircraft destined for the U.S. Army and Afghan Air Force, as well as Virginia Beach Police Department.

MD announced earlier this month that 23 of its 530E model helicopters have been upgraded to F models under a factory-authorized, eight- to 10-week conversion program that includes installation of a new Rolls-Royce 250-C30HU engine, all scheduled airframe inspections and new main and tail rotor blades, tail rotor drive shaft, and horizontal stabilizer. All 500E models originally certified as commercial helicopters are candidates for conversion to new MD 530F models and aircraft previously certified for military or non-commercial operation may also be eligible.