MD 500E cost of ownership
What does it cost to own and operate the MD Helicopters MD 500E? The calculator below estimates annual cost and fully-burdened cost per flight hour, pre-filled with assumptions typical for its class and fully editable to your operation.
- Class
- Helicopters
- Engines
- 1 × Turboshaft
- Seats
- 5
- Max range
- 232 nm
Your assumptions
Edit any field — the estimate updates instantly.
Where the money goes (annual)
- Other$1,387,293
- Maintenance$520,000
- Fuel$480,000
- Crew$280,000
- Insurance$90,000
The complete ownership & ROI analysis
The figures above are indicative. The complete model — built on verified data and current market pricing for a specific aircraft, and extended to financing, charter economics, a five-year projection and full ROI, NPV and IRR analysis — is prepared for our members and partners.
5-year ROI projection
Year-by-year cash flow, equity & ROI
Financing & amortization
Down payment, interest, balance owed, true cost of debt
Charter revenue & break-even
Utilisation, occupancy, break-even hours
NPV / IRR + client-ready PDF
Discounted returns and an exportable report
An account shows cost per flight hour and annual cost. Membership adds the five-year ROI, financing, charter economics, NPV/IRR and report exports.
These figures are indicative — class-typical starting values for the MD 500E, not its price or a quotation. A precise, data-backed analysis with current market pricing is available through a HangarMart membership on the MD 500E page, or prepared with our advisors.
About the MD 500E
Introduced in 1982 in the United States, the MD Helicopters MD 500E is a helicopter from the MD 500 family built for point-to-point access without the need for a runway. It is a long-serving design with a deep support and parts network.
On performance, it offers a maximum range of about 232 nautical miles and a cruise of roughly 134 knots. It seats up to 5 passengers and is powered by 1 Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine.
Its 232 nm range makes it well matched to short-haul hops and local operations. It is certified for single-pilot operation.
MD 500E cost of ownership: FAQs
How much does it cost to own a MD 500E?
Total cost of ownership for the MD 500E depends mostly on how much you fly it. The largest drivers are crew, the engine/maintenance program, fuel, insurance and hangarage. Enter your own annual hours in the calculator above for an estimated annual cost and a fully-burdened cost per flight hour, then talk to our advisors for a precise model built on current market data.
What is the MD 500E's operating cost per flight hour?
Hourly cost is driven by fuel burn, engine and airframe maintenance programs, and reserves. As a helicopters with turboshaft powerplant, the MD 500E sits in that class's cost band — variable (hourly) costs rise with utilisation while fixed costs are spread across more hours. Use the calculator to see the cost per hour at your expected annual hours.
What are the biggest costs of owning a MD 500E?
Ownership costs split into fixed costs that you pay regardless of flying (crew salaries, insurance, hangar, management and scheduled maintenance reserves) and variable costs that scale with hours flown (fuel, engine-program charges and maintenance). For a helicopters like the MD 500E, crew and the engine program are typically among the largest line items.
Is it cheaper to charter or to own a MD 500E?
At low or variable annual utilisation, chartering or leasing is usually more economical because you avoid the fixed costs of ownership; above a breakeven level of annual hours, owning the MD 500E tends to win. Model your hours in the calculator, then compare against our charter and leasing options to find your breakeven.
Are these MD 500E cost figures exact?
No — the defaults are indicative, class-typical starting values, not the price of the MD 500E or a quotation. They are there so the estimate is sensible for the aircraft's class; adjust every input to your operation. A precise, data-backed ownership model with current market pricing is available through our acquisition advisory team.
Thinking about the MD 500E?
Our advisory team can build a precise ownership model for the MD 500Eand tell you, independently, whether it's the right aircraft for your mission.