MD Helicopters, Inc. is continuing the program of development that will see the MD 902 transition into the MD 969, with a major component — the new cockpit featuring the Genesys IDU-680 avionics suite — set to be certified in June.
MD’s CEO, Lynn Tilton, provided details of the program during an overall company update to media and HAI Heli-Expo show attendees on the first day of the convention in Dallas, Texas.
“We’ve been talking about the 902 for a very long time: it is an amazing aircraft that we did not keep up with in terms of the necessary innovation and the eradication of obsolescence,” said Tilton. “The 902 was just too great an aircraft to let move by the wayside. So, there’s been an extensive and expensive investment in the 902 which we are transitioning to the 969 when it’s finished.”
In addition to the new avionics suite, which will be available in the third quarter, Tilton said the 902 is to receive a four-axis autopilot (to be certified by the end of the year); increased power to the NOTAR anti-torque system; and a power upgrade to its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207E engines.
The Genesys avionics will replace those from Universal Avionics that MD had originally selected for the 902’s upgrade.
“We’ve made the decision with the Genesys cockpit — it was just the timing, the availability and the open architecture [informing the decision],” said Tilton. “This was a speedier to market for us, as well as the open architecture was something for the future that would not make us upgrade again any time soon.”
Tilton said MD had held “very open and honest and transparent” discussions with Universal about the move.
“If they are able to put a cockpit together that is certified and ready to go, we will certainly offer that to our customers,” she said. “But we are moving in a different direction right now. . . . We need to make certain that this aircraft has what it needs.”
The Genesys system will also be included in the MD 6XX — a newly-unveiled eight-seater single engine aircraft — and eventually in the MD 530G and 530F.
MD is also in the process of moving production of the 902’s fuselage back to its headquarters in Mesa, Arizona; a process Tilton said would save about 35 percent in terms of costs — and this will be reflected in the cost to customers.
“We’re trying to replicate the success that we’ve known with the single-engine aircraft by bringing so much of the production in house, by believing in vertical integration as a cost protector and something that has allowed us to price our aircraft well,” she said.
In other news at the manufacturer, it is making plans to grow its training services to capitalize on a market it is largely outsourcing at the moment.
“We’re making a huge push into our training, so we keep people close to us and on premises,” said Tilton. “We are going to have specialized police training and rescue training, military tactical and weapons training, NVG [night vision goggle] training . . . and specialized mission and specialized mechanic training as well. And that will be both on premises and exportable when need be.”
Looking ahead, Tilton said MD would be beginning the build of at least 50 aircraft this year, and referenced the manufacturer’s phoenix logo as she outlined her hope for the company’s future — whether with or without her.
“This phoenix has truly risen and it will stay in the air for a long time to come,” she said. “Whether it’s in my hands or someone else’s, I think that MD is here to stay, and I’m proud of this journey and my people for being on this journey with me.”
OMG, are you kidding! We have heard basically the same story for years. Actions talk and BS walks. There has not been a new 902 off the line since before 2015. Not one. She lies and no one has the balls to actually investigate and report the truth. What a snake oil salesman!!
So this is just yet another PR stunt. She knows nothing of aviation or the process that it takes to ensure safety. What I read is that she swapped vendors mid-development of a certification project. The Universal was flying and there are videos online to show that, so why swap?
Also 50 aircraft! They have yet to build and certify the 2-year long glass cockpit conversion of ONE aircraft…. No one ordered 50! The entire production facility is filled with tooling from overseas, production is now occupying a 20’x50′ space of hanger floor for all single engines. Twins are not even getting put together as there is no where to produce them. They have yet to build/ deliver any in the past YEAR to a commerical customer. They are even behind on supplying AH-6 frames to Boeing!
That comment is correct, she fired another CFO. VP average life span- 6-12 months TOPS! Its a running joke internal “How long will this one last!” Horrible managers run the middle and bow and get on there knees to Lynn or anyone higher than themselves. PS- they all have the experience of designing doorstops for airports prior to getting there current position.
The MD product is awesome and the aircraft can handle some amazing things! But you have to ask yourself if you are reading this- when was the last time this company created something TRULY amazing and unique or actually took (from cradle to grave) a new concept. I can guarantee its not been in the last 11 years, during the Tilton Reign. If you want to say the Afghan war birds, that was a collection of vendors placing components on an existing ship. NO MD design what so ever.
One word for the people who commented on this, Truth!