Our Story

Celebrating our history and contributions to the helicopter
industry.

OUR STORY​

Celebrating our history and contributions to the helicopter industry.

TAKING FLIGHT

Our story takes flight in 1934 when a young industrialist, the eccentric billionaire, and aerospace trailblazer, Howard Hughes, laid the foundation for what would become MD Helicopters. Hughes, driven by a relentless passion for aviation, founded the Hughes Aircraft Company that year, eventually leading to the creation of Hughes Helicopters in 1955.

CHANGING THE GAME

The game-changing Hughes 269A, a two-seat piston-powered helicopter,
earned FAA certification in 1959, swiftly dominating the light helicopter market. Its
variant, the TH-55, secured a significant U.S. Army training helicopter contract in
1964. The following year marked a pivotal moment with the creation of the OH-6A
Cayuse, a turbine-powered Hughes 369 celebrated for its crashworthy design and
exceptional maneuverability. This aircraft set 23 world records and laid the
foundation for today’s MD 500 helicopters.

500 SERIES FOUNDATION

Built on the simple concept that less is more, the ingenious Hughes 500 design from the mid-1960s emphasized low drag, minimal weight, and reduced maintenance. Safety was paramount, and the design featured the iconic teardrop-shaped fuselage, a fully articulated rotor system, and a straightforward two-gear mesh drive system. Over the years, the original Hughes 269 design has evolved to increase speed, maneuverability, power, and performance while maintaining the aircraft’s proven and unmatched safe and low-maintenance core design.

Milestones

1955

Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division Founded

1956

Hughes 269 Flight Tested

1959
Hughes 269A Receives FAA Certification
1963
Hughes 269B Certified (Marketed as the Hughes 300)
1964
TH-55, a Modified Hughes 269A, Wins U.S. Army Light Training Helicopter Contract
1965
OH-6A Cayuse (Hughes 369A) Wins U.S. Army Light Observation Helicopter Contract
1982
MD 500E and 530 Series First Flight
1992
MD 900 Series First Flight
1994
MD 600 Series First Flight
2013
MD 530G First Flight

EARNING TRUST DAILY

Fast forward to today, MD Helicopters is led by helicopter industry veterans Brad Pedersen and Ryan Weeks. Under their leadership, our highly experienced team has recommitted our focus to fortifying supply chains, enhancing spare parts availability, expanding our vendor network, and supporting our military and civilian customers. With a strengthened supply chain and improved access to spare parts, MD Helicopters is poised to embrace the future while preserving our legacy of rotorcraft innovation. We are working hard to Earn Trust Daily.