MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD EXPLORER SERIES

McDonnell Douglas MD Explorer (MD 900/902) Helicopters for Sale

The McDonnell Douglas MD Explorer — designated MD 900 in single-engine configuration and MD 902 in twin-engine — represents one of the most innovative light helicopter designs of the 1990s, combining cutting-edge composite construction with the revolutionary NOTAR (No Tail Rotor) anti-torque system to create a helicopter that is simultaneously safer, quieter, and more refined than anything comparable in its class. Certified in 1994, the MD Explorer emerged from the same engineering lineage as the 500 series but took the design philosophy in a completely new direction — replacing the conventional tail rotor with a pressurized-air NOTAR system that eliminates the most dangerous component of conventional helicopter design.

The NOTAR Revolution

The conventional helicopter tail rotor is responsible for a disproportionate share of helicopter accidents — it operates in a highly disturbed airflow environment near the ground, it is easily struck by obstacles during low-altitude maneuvering, and its rotating blades pose a severe strike hazard to ground personnel. The NOTAR system eliminates all of these risks by using a fan inside the tailboom to pressurize a slot along the tailboom's side (the Coanda effect), combined with a rotating nozzle at the boom's tip, to generate the anti-torque force that a conventional tail rotor would provide mechanically. The result is a helicopter that can operate in tighter confined areas, poses dramatically less hazard to ground crews, and produces significantly less external noise — advantages that have made the Explorer the preferred choice of numerous EMS and law enforcement operators who conduct frequent confined-area operations.

MD 900 vs MD 902

• MD 900 — Single Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206E engine variant, offering lower operating costs for operators whose mission profile does not require twin-engine redundancy.
• MD 902 — Twin PW206E configuration providing the safety redundancy required for offshore, overwater, and IFR operations. The twin-engine MD 902 became the dominant variant in EMS and law enforcement markets where twin-engine certification is a requirement.

EMS and Law Enforcement Excellence

The MD Explorer's combination of NOTAR safety, composite construction, quiet operation, and spacious cabin made it a natural fit for emergency medical services and law enforcement aviation. Numerous air ambulance operators worldwide selected the Explorer specifically for its ability to land in confined hospital helipads and accident scenes where conventional tail rotors would create additional hazards. Police aviation units valued the reduced noise signature for surveillance operations and the safety advantages for low-altitude urban flying.

Browse MD Explorer Listings on Airplane Trade

Find MD 900 and MD 902 Explorer helicopters for sale on Airplane Trade from verified sellers worldwide. EMS-equipped, law enforcement, and corporate-configured examples available with full specifications and maintenance documentation. Connect directly with sellers who understand the unique advantages and requirements of NOTAR helicopter ownership and operation.