MD900 Explorer Helicopter Engine Startup and Takeoff

MD Helicopters MD900 Explorer C-GHZF is seen starting up and taking off from CZNL in Nelson, British Columbia. This was my first time seeing one of these interesting helicopters using NOTAR Technology.

[@aimpointcx4444]

Pretty cool how quick the second engine spools up with no drag from gearbox.

[@kathleendircks5577]

MD are my favourite helis, is that normal?😂 I mean, I just love them❤️

[@TheHDAviation]

They are super cool machines, wish we same more of them around here.

[@LatitudeSky]

For some reason, it IS common to have someone outside during startup on the 900/902. Nothing else in existence looks or sounds like the 900/902. That shrieking can only be one thing, and it's magnificent. Beautiful footage.

[@TheHDAviation]

This helicopter really did produce a great sound, it was an interesting machine to get to see visiting Nelson. Thanks for watching!

[@donking454]

No it actually is not. Neither is leaving loose cables directly under the rotors.

[@rksshiningstar]

Beautiful helicopter and surprisingly quiter.

[@FredtheDorfDorfman1985]

The sound of that NOTAR fan reminds me of the sound of the Gazelle Fenestron, or a higher pitch version of the Dauphin's, that is before they quietened Fenestrons down with uneven blade spacing. Personally I adored the sound of the original Fenestrons, but there's always fuddy duddies that have to whine louder than the Fenestrons do, about the noise. I'm surprised McDonnell Douglas hasn't had to adopt uneven blade spacing on the NOTAR fans to appease those fuddies. Ya know one "Fenestron" Fantail that wasn't all that loud, even with evenly spaced blades, was the one that never made it to production, that we know of, the RAH66 Comanche's. I guess because it had eight thick blades, as opposed to ten or eleven narrower blades, is why. Now that was a bad ass helicopter. The Comanche sounded so cool, and surprisingly loud blade slap, at high speed flight. It would do one hundred and eighty knots effortlessly, and its bearingless main rotor that was similar to the EC135, Bell 430, AH-1Z, UH-1W, and MD900's was cool as hell. The BMR is the ultimate in helicopter rotor technology with its composite flex beams and elastomeric shear restraint "bearings," and lag dampers. There's not hardly anything to maintain. I'd have to say the EC135's BMR is my favorite, because the blades and flex beams are removable from the hub with two bolts, as opposed to flex beam yokes like the Bell 430 has, or a one piece flex beam star like the MD900's. Also the EC135's BMR doesn't need droop stops like the others do because the hub end of the flex beams are rigid enough to support the droop weight of the blades.

[@worldcrime]

Great job thanks for the natural sound!!!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@EdWhisenantAviation]

Excellent footage of this NOTAR. I really enjoy watching the NOTARS in flight and the way they maneuver. I had the pleasure of flying more than once in a MD520 and flew once in a MD600 and it was an incredible experience it's hard to describe. Have a great week :)

[@TheHDAviation]

I bet they were a lot of fun to get up in, it sure is an interesting design. I was happy to finally see one here at CZNL!

[@robert0437]

Soy un apasionado de estas naves. Y aunque nunca he abordado una, las adoro desde siempre. Gracias por compartir la experiencia de un vuelo. Abrazos, Bendiciones, Felicidades. Desde Colombia.

[@donking454]

Love the way at the end he ducks his head down, despite almost putting his head in the rotors minutes earlier. Accident waiting to happen, loose headwear near moving rotors, and not to mention the loose equipment under the rotors.

[@HeliPadUSA]

GREAT close-up! LOVE IT!! Thanks for posting!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@99carnot]

Cool to see the engine start and rotor disc! Liked!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@audi6329]

this looks beautiful

[@danielkbarton]

Beautiful helicopter! Great video too.

[@mylosairplanefan]

Very nice close-up footage of this take off, nice job mate! :)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@daveogarf]

That's so beautiful! Even better against the backdrop of the BC forest.

[@matthiashaenni]

Stunning video of this great helicopter.

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks Matt!

[@ChuksSpotting]

A beautiful catch mate! Love it! :)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@Giggidygiggidy12]

I swear if he walks back around one more time.......

[@rianguilherme1393]

Ffhui

[@johngibson3440]

You swear what?

[@christians.8658]

Hahahahaha, made my day

[@spottertech8896]

Great skin of this heli!!! Love this!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@sherlows]

Airspan's newest machine, the "Black Mamba" Looks great Paul!!

[@airjuneau]

I love MD Helicopters! great video mate :)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@terrancegroomsjr5890]

3:23 Got that nice little spool up there.

[@aviationvideosgraz]

A short walkaround and amazing sound of this MD900.

[@TheHDAviation]

This helicopter sounded good indeed, my first time seeing this type.

[@mikeday62]

I watched a video of a glossy black MD500 NOTAR yesterday. T'was very cool looking like this beauty.

[@lanka8786]

thats a beautiful machine

[@frogfoot_media]

Beautiful closeup. Explorers sound amazing with NOTAR ♥

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks, I was happy to finally see one of these.

[@shubhamkasera3514]

Bahut khub

[@shubhamkasera3514]

Ok

[@caseyalexander1705]

NOTAR for the win.

[@mrwest5552]

Rock solid hold in ground effect, skill.

[@luisalejandrorianopineda7216]

El MD 902 aparecio en la pelicula Swordfish 2001 y Otro dia para morir 2002

[@TravellerYT]

Spectacular helicopter footage THDA, that MD 900 Explorer is an absolute beauty! We want to fly on it!! but would be just as happy to experience it live as you did. This was a really good watch! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a great week ahead. Best Regards from Maxi and Maro :-D

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks so much, I had wanted to film one of these for years and was really happy to catch this one at CZNL!

[@TravellerYT]

You were so very lucky indeed! Once again, lovely video THDA! :-D

[@jairojaramillo4685]

Traveller - Trip Reports & Travel Videos .

[@copterco]

awesome,very close action , great video jesse

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks Cesar!

[@cpocketts]

Very nice video, Would love to see more of the Explorer!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks! This was the first one I've ever seen, one cool looking helicopter.

[@asheshinfinite3766]

Nice! 😍

[@christopherrobinson3290]

My ears, thank you sir 🙏🏾

[@edostuff]

Amazing catch, ever seen one without a tail rotor.

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks, I was really happy to catch this one!

[@joshuabowmans7139]

He is undergoing his preflight check.🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁

[@JetKeene]

Very cool!

[@frankkirby2467]

Beautiful Helicopter

[@TheHDAviation]

I agree!

[@JelmersAviation]

Awesome video mate!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@gsheverything_2716]

What a beautiful bird man

[@TheHDAviation]

I love the look of the MD900 as well, one cool helicopter.

[@facundodog]

Very good video !!! I never saw this model

[@TheHDAviation]

This was my first time spotting an MD900, quite a cool helicopter. Hope you spot one soon!

[@BAVBavarianAviationVideonews]

Interssting helicopter! Thumbs up my friend 👍😉

[@TheHDAviation]

This one was cool to see, my first NOTAR catch.

[@BAVBavarianAviationVideonews]

@@TheHDAviation I've never seen a Helicopter with NOTAR😪

[@TheHDAviation]

@@BAVBavarianAviationVideonews Hopefully you'll catch one soon!

[@Howrider65]

Are you guys that worried about taking off with that thing it looks brand new...I have never seen so many walk around checks in my life for a takeoff...

[@jameswest8280]

They did the walkaround 2 hours ago, they were just admiring it.

[@marshallallensmith]

You pay 6.2 million for a helicopter and then you can bitch.

[@michael-ju8tv]

It's much easier to do a walkaround before takeoff than in the middle of a flight.

[@danielkbarton]

@@marshallallensmith EXACTLY 👍🏻

[@pawaimorikutia1165]

Far out what a beautiful machine

[@zoomerzoomer-jn7rf]

what is that stuff on the floor next to the helicopter? always taught that's a huge no no, I've been taught to have anything nearby that could stir up into the main rotor can be fatal, surprised no comments here so far on it.

[@HeliNomadic]

That's operational gear related to use of the helicopter. It's heavy enough that it doesn't blow away.

[@STARgaming-lh2rg]

Nice 🚁helicopter

[@CBGSpotter]

So close to the chopper you've been after for a while 😁

[@TheHDAviation]

I was so happy to finally see one :-)

[@sharipuckett4694]

I can't figure out the difference between an MD 900 or an MD 902. How can you tell them apart?

[@Warcrazyness]

Good video

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@nicepush2574]

You need to do some more walk arounds...... good grief.... Take off alright !!!!!!!!!!!

[@vinniemoreno704]

He can't remember where he left his stash.

[@luisalejandrorianopineda7216]

MD 900 aparecio en el 2001 en la pelicula Swordfish hace 17 años y tambien en el 2002 aparece en la pelicula de James Bond Otro dia para morir hace 16 años

[@007more7]

That thing is huge

[@gabrielnavarro3833]

How about doing your pre-flight inspections, "before" you start your engines!

[@lourencovalle8621]

BOA TARDE. AS COISAS TEM QUE EVOLUIR E ESSA BELA E ROBUSTA AERONAVE VEIO COM ESSE PROPÓSITO. GOSTEI DEMAIS. PARABÉNS

[@CrippleDan]

can I use about 20 seconds of this in a video?

[@christians.8658]

Awesome

[@HeliHolic]

Graham Wallace is this you at the controls?

[@digranni128]

More one picture 😎

[@mhassanhassan4082]

Nice

[@davida.p.9911]

Very cool! Not a big fan of the NOTAR, tail less rotor...but this is cool footage.

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks, it was an interesting helicopter to see.

[@soundfilet]

ehm-did you check the eninges right?

[@alekferna6760]

Sound very little with notar sistem???

[@khairudinnoh7382]

Wow i like drive helicopter

[@gchyz]

great catch!!! i think it's the only one in canada

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks, I was really happy to get some footage of this one! A really interesting helicopter, that's for sure.

[@tombof]

MD900 black body cool 👍

[@TheHDAviation]

I love the look of this one, a cool helicopter for sure!

[@TheAidanodian]

Those things must be quiet AF

[@govindgovind-ke5bs]

fantastic helicopter fan confidence of weight can't too large of fan lock gift -MR GOINKAA

[@berylrosenberg704]

That tone was stolen for the Oblivion drone. Nice startup!

[@Powershotknecht]

cool

[@MrPants1970]

Does that guy really have to do that many checks?

[@damian-795]

I trust the jet anti touque more :-)

[@paulinaz9386]

AHHH!!! the smell of Jet-A!!!!

[@ericlozen9631]

Nice video & helicopter. I don't know too much about helicopters but I'm pretty good on aircraft; modern, commercial, private, vintage, props, and jets ect. Someone correct me if needed but that crew member doing the walk a around shouldn't be wearing anything loose that can easily become airborne, ie the hat. I know that there's a lot of downward rotor wash but you can never take chances.

[@sideboob6851]

There actually is no downwash when rotor pitch is level.

[@ManchesterAviation]

Looks very nice! Liked!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@topcopy98]

After all that he forgets to close door

[@Yamdres21]

Which are helicopter engines?

[@poonamdhapola4612]

Nice baba

[@marshalllord554]

Wait! Come baaaack! I forgot to check that latch for the 10th time. Idk what that mess was on the ground beside the pilot, but it wouldn't be conducive to flying up and hitting the rotor blades while hovering before takeoff 😦

[@mamtasinghkashatriya9321]

I am getting an offer for used one, should I buy?

[@Leti2115]

No rotor trasero?

[@gjswilson]

I think they took off just to get away from that guy. He was starting to get on their nerves, passenger's were having second thoughts 😅

[@ncso911]

I’ve never seen an MD500 NOTAR

[@pstreaks]

Just one more workaround..

[@tcdarth]

You forgot to take me!

[@ziingoom1131]

thinking the same..

[@jatindersinghasr1]

There is no tail rotor. How this helicopter manages to prevent itself to rotate in the opposite direction of the main rotor.

[@sideboob6851]

It's called NOTAR.

[@audi6329]

I think I wanna fly one of these.

[@TheHDAviation]

I bet it would be a fun machine to fly.

[@audi6329]

@@TheHDAviation I bet. For the past 2 weeks I been thinking about helicopter flight training.

[@jinksonyou]

@@audi6329 I know right! I've always wanted to fly a helicopter! Think for me is to late now, not sure if there are any max age limits! Apparently in the UK once you hit 60 you can't fly commercially solo! Cheers from Canada eh! Very nice video and that's the first time I've seen 1 WITHOUT a tail rotor!

[@audi6329]

@@jinksonyou its 9 months later and I've procrastinated long enough. Its still on my mind. Here in Los Angeles, i don't think they will turn me away if im 60 years of age and i came for one class. Lol they sure will want my $300.

[@jinksonyou]

@@audi6329 hahaha well hell yeah they will take ur $$$ no problem there! I was just curious as I'm 53 now in good (sort of) health and it's something I've wanted to since like I said I was around 10 or 11! There were 3 things I wanted to be/do n 1. Cop 2. Drive a big truck 3. Fly a helicopter! I've only successfully completed only 1! Cheers mate

[@MsFred58]

did not show him starting it

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Where's the tail rotor?

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Never mind, it has a blower on the back, it appears.

[@Christian-tw7me]

Is this a medical emergency flight?

[@TheHDAviation]

This one was being used for some power line maintenance.

[@stuartleatham2917]

If I walked around my car that many times when I’d started the engine someone would jump in and nick it

[@kathleendircks5577]

👍😊

[@nx7.]

🖤🤤

[@60viking]

He seems to be concerned about the thingamajig.

[@TheHDAviation]

Definitely checked her out pretty good!

[@nigellewis4686]

They sound a bit like the gazelle

[@TheHDAviation]

Love the sound of the MD900. I'd love to spot a Gazelle some day though, those classics are awesome.

[@ZeeshanKhan-rr2qg]

zeeshan

[@jonathanpattard1124]

il fout quoi le mec la ???? on fais pas une prévol moteur en marche c'est du grand nimporte quoi !!!!!

[@braconnerie]

Oui on le fait avant que le moteur démarre

[@andybrugman3619]

six million for this look at all the wires and shit hanging underneath it

[@jhonatangonzagarodriguesam7097]

Podia cair

[@ziingoom1131]

haha