Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Airbus Helicopters H145 and MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer are generally in the light twin category, while the Airbus Helicopters H155 and Sikorsky S‑76D are typically positioned as medium twins with more cabin volume and higher mission capability. In range terms, the H145 and MD 902 usually offer similar, moderate ranges suited to regional EMS, law enforcement, and utility work, with the H145 often benefiting from strong fuel efficiency and modern avionics options. The H155 and S‑76D typically provide longer ranges and higher cruise performance, making them more common for offshore support and executive transport where legs are longer. For passenger capacity, the H145 commonly seats one to two pilots plus roughly eight to nine passengers depending on layout, and the MD 902 is often configured for about seven to eight passengers. The H155 generally accommodates around 10 to 12 passengers in corporate or transport layouts, while the S‑76D is commonly arranged for about 8 to 12 passengers, with executive configurations often prioritizing comfort over maximum seat count.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H155 | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 11.06 | $ 7.54 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 14 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | H155 | MD 902 Exlplorer | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 423 | 317 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 4012 | 3125 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 1,593 | $ 988 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G500H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 144 | 131 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $14,800,000 | $7,250,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 14 | 8 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | Arriel 2C2 | PW207E | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 943 | 710 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 332 | 159 | 296 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 65 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 46.9 | 40.6 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 14.3 | 12 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 41.1 | 33.9 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 235.2 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 88.3 | — | — |