MESA, Ariz., Dec. 5, 2003 A fleet of more than 240 NOTAR® systemequipped helicopters has amassed some 500,000 flight hours around the world in missions ranging from law enforcement and air medical service to corporate and offshore oil transport.   The helicopters are built by MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) and the NOTAR system fleet includes MD Explorers®, MD 600Ns® and MD 520Ns®

The hightime aircraft - with more than 12,000 hours - is an MD 520N operated by the Phoenix Police Department in Phoenix, Ariz. The first MD 520N was delivered to the Phoenix Police on Oct. 31, 1991, and the first flight of a NOTAR systemequipped helicopter occurred in December 1981.

"We are extremely proud of this important milestone," said Henk Schaeken, chairman and chief executive officer of MDHI. "NOTAR system technology has been very important to our company and to our industry," he said. "It has also provided significant benefits to our customers."

Only helicopters from MDHI feature the patented NOTAR system for antitorque control. Because the NOTAR system eliminates the exposed tail rotor found on conventional helicopters, there is no chance of catastrophic contact with people or the surrounding environment. And with fewer moving parts, the system is simpler and less costly to maintain. What's more, the nature of the technology - no spinning tail rotor - means that it is naturally quiet.

The system works by drawing ambient air into the NOTAR tail boom, where it is vented through two long slots. The vented, lowpressure air traps the main rotor downwash against the tail boom and creates lateral lift to counter the main rotor torque. For directional control, lowpressure air can be directed through vents at the end of the tail boom.

Other MDHI products include the MD 500E® and the MD 530F®.

The Phoenix, Arizona, Police Department has the largest fleet of NOTAR systemequipped aircraft and was was the lead customer for the first MD 520N delivered in 1991.

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