Hughes 500
About Patriot, Our ‘Little Bird’
You are about to have an amazing flight in a Hughes 500 helicopter. This helicopter has an incredible history as well as one of the best safety records of any helicopter ever made. The famous “Howard Hughes” was the original developer.
Unlike an airliner, you will have the same headset your pilot wears!
Our aircraft began its legendary history in Vietnam in 1967 as the OH-6A Cayuse/Loach. It was also nicknamed the “Killer Egg” as well as the “Little Bird”. The helicopter was featured in several hit movies, such as “Apocalypse Now”, and “Black Hawk Down”. You may also remember seeing it in the hit TV series, “Magnum PI”.
The helicopter is still in military service and is used by the Elite Special Forces unit 160th SOAR. The aircraft is still currently in production by MD Helicopters based in Mesa, Arizona.
Get ready to fly in one of the most famous helicopters ever made!
General Characteristics
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 32 ft 7 in (9.93 m)
- Height: 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)
- Empty weight: 1,591 lb (722 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,550 lb (1,610 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, 650 shp (480 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)
- Main rotor area: 587.5 sq ft (54.58 m2) * Blade section: – NACA 0012[53]
Performance
- Maximum speed: 152 kn (175 mph, 282 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 100 kn (117 mph, 250 km/h)
- Range: 232 nmi (267 mi, 430 km)
- Service ceiling: 18,700 ft (4,876 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,070 ft/min (10.5 m/s)
Tours Over
The Houston/Galveston Area
(832) 630-4342
SidelineAviation@Gmail.com
