Compare Airbus Helicopters H135 vs MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
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| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Type | H135 | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 988 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 7.54 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 131 |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 317 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 3125 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Garmin G500H |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Weights | ||
| MTOW (lbs) | 6570 | 6500 |
| MTOW External Load (lbs) | 6570 | 6900 |
| Max External Load (lbs) | 2646 | 3000 |
| BEW (lbs) | 3446 | 3375 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 3125 |
| Fuel Capacity (lbs) | 1110 | 1065 |
| Useful Load Max Fuel (lbs) | 2014 | 2151 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 33.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 12 |
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 40.6 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | - |
| Engine | ||
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207E |
| Horsepower | 660 | 710 |
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | - | 159 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | - | 65 |
| Avionics | ||
| Flight Deck | Helionix | Garmin G500H |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Standby Instrument | Digital | - |
| Autopilot | 3-Axis | - |
| PFD | 2 | 1 |
| MFD | - | 1 |
| GPS | 1 | 1 |
| AHRS | 1 | - |
| Transponder | 1 | 1 |
| VHF Com | 1 | 1 |
| VHF NAV | 1 | 1 |
| Cabin | ||
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | - |
| Other | ||
| Gear Type | High Skids | Low Skids |
| Rotorhead | 4-Blade Articulated | 5-Blade Articulated |
| Tail Rotor | Enclosed Fenestron | NOTAR |
| Warranty | ||
| Pilot Training Credits | - | 1 |
| Airframe (Yrs) | - | 1 |
| Performance | ||
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 131 |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | 130 | 131 |
| Max Speed (Vne) | 140 | - |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 317 |
| Range Seats Full (nm) | 342 | 317 |
| Endurance (hrs) | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Max Climb Rate (fpm) | 1560 | 2120 |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | - | 21200 |
| Hover IGE (ft) | 13250 | 10650 |
| Hover OGE (ft) | 7200 | 8780 |