The Hughes 500 has a specific purpose
for the aerial cinematographer. Although certain door
mounts can be installed, this aircraft just doesn't afford
enough door real estate for more involved or intricate
shooting with these types of mounts. However, a Hughes
with a nose-mounted ball mount can obtain incredible
footage from areas where other rotorcraft fear to tread.
But the best known use of the Hughes 500 is with a special,
proprietary mounting rig dubbed appropriately enough
the Outside Mount. Simply stated this is an exterior
mounting platform that allows for installation of a door
mount outside of the aircraft's cabin. This improves
flexibility with door mount shooting greatly as the operator
can now look directly forward, as well as other directions,
while the aircraft maintains straight-ahead flight attitude.
This was first accomplished on the major motion picture "Capricorn
One" with a Hughes 500C. It is not uncommon to hear
folks refer to any 500 version as the Hughes/MD or MD
500.
Hughes
500 Specifications
For
general reference only.
The following specifications are for
the HUGHES 500D. They do not consider
the altered weight-and-balance characteristics
or resulting restrictions on inflight
performance with installed camera mounting
systems.
Main
rotor diameter:
26.5
ft
(8.1 m)
Length
overall:
24.5
ft
(7.5 m)
Cabin
doors:
3.66
ft (1.1 m) H
2.5 ft (0.76 m) W
Empty weight:
1,500
lbs
(675 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight:
3,000
lbs
(1,350 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight
(w/ external load):
1,750
lbs
(787.5 kg)
Never Exceed Speed-VNE1:
152
kts/175 mph
(281 kmh)
Maximum
cruise speed:
134
kts/154 mph
(248 kmh)
Service ceiling:
15,000
ft
(4,572 m)
Hover ceiling - HIGE2:
8,500
ft
(2,591 m)
Hover Ceiling-
HOGE3:
6,000
ft
(1,829 m)
Standard range:
261
nm
(302 km)
Vertical rate of climb:
1,760
fpm
Powerplant:
1
Allison 250-C20B
Maximum Takeoff Power:
375
shp4
1 VNE-Velocity
Never to Exceed 2 HIGE-Hover In Ground Effect 3 HOGE-Hover Outside Ground Effect 4 SHP-Shaft Horsepower
Important
Considerations
Although quite versatile, for reasons of
safety, the Outside Mount will impose greater
restrictions on inflight performance of the
aircraft, particularly in terms of speed.
The Hughes 500 with this mount is a rare
occurrence and usually the pilot/owner of
the aircraft owns the mount as well.
