MD 500E Transition Scholarship 

By WG#2389 Ryan Hester

When I first arrived for the MD 500E transition course in Mesa, Arizona, I anticipated a group classroom environment similar to a prior safety course I had attended for another manufacturer. Instead, I was surprised to discover an immersive and personalized training experience. The week was dedicated to one-on-one instruction, allowing for an in-depth exploration of the aircraft, and I was fortunate to have the same instructor and MD500 wizard, Parker Kuntz, throughout the entire course. His expertise and accessibility gave me the opportunity to ask any and every question I had about MD and beyond. 

Day One: Systems Familiarization and Ground Preparation

Our first day began with comprehensive systems familiarization. This wasn’t a “death by PowerPoint” lecture; it was interactive and visually accompanied by diagrams and a cart full of parts and pieces. I gained a thorough understanding of how each component functioned within the larger system as we went through the entire aircraft, system by system. The hands-on approach made complex concepts much more approachable, and Parker’s knowledge and instruction added clarity that exceeded my expectations.

I was given a history of the company and received a full tour of the maintenance hangars. The day also included a detailed pre-flight ground lesson at the aircraft to prepare for our flight the following morning. 

Day Two: Sunrise Flight and Systems Ground Instruction 

Day two began with a beautiful sunrise flight over the desert to beat the Arizona heat. We flew to the practice area and worked on a variety of maneuvers, from approaches to more advanced emergency procedures. Practicing a simulated loss of tail rotor thrust was particularly valuable, as it was something I had never  practiced in the aircraft before.

Back on the ground, we toured additional areas of the facility and attended more ground classes. These lessons covered the aircraft’s mechanical systems in even greater detail, always supplemented with visual aids and hands-on components that deepened my learning.

Day Three: Sunrise Flight, Ground Instruction, and Factory Tour

We kicked off day three with another early morning flight. This time, we explored desert terrain, working on pinnacle and confined area landings at various remote sites. Upon returning to the airport, we focused on various autorotation maneuvers and emergency procedures in the pattern.  

Afterward, I had the unique opportunity to tour the static display labs and explore every aspect of the MD 500’s production line, from the initial keel beam framing to avionics outfitting. Witnessing the manufacturing process from start to finish was an impressive addition to the curriculum, showcasing the craftsmanship that goes into each aircraft.

Day Four: Advanced Maneuvers and Ground Instruction 

Our fourth day featured emergency procedure training for stuck trim, governor failures, and more full down autorotations as well as various run-on maneuvers. Parker ensured every lesson was thorough and was able to answer all of my questions with experience and nuance even during the occasional esoteric rabbit holes we would find ourselves in; he had answers for it all. 

Day Five: Final Flight and Unforgettable Experiences

The final day of the course was a culmination of everything we had practiced. We even came across some wild javelinas running through the desert, which added a fun bit of adventure to our flight. We worked on more off-airport landings, honing precision in challenging conditions. 

The experience was world-class, and everyone at the factory was not only knowledgeable but also welcoming and professional. The formal factory training was everything I had hoped for and the MD500 itself was every bit as impressive as I had anticipated. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to receive such high-quality instruction and for Parker’s time and expertise. This was a valued introduction to the MD aircraft and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the team at MD Helicopters and Whirly-Girls for this incredible experience.