Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Airbus Helicopters H145 and MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer are generally positioned as light twins, while the Sikorsky S‑76D is typically considered a larger, medium twin aimed more squarely at corporate/VIP and offshore-style missions. In range, the H145 and MD 902 are broadly similar in typical real-world planning, often landing in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles depending on fuel reserves and cabin load, whereas the S‑76D usually offers the longest practical range of the three and is commonly selected when longer legs or higher cruise efficiency are priorities. For passenger capacity, the H145 is frequently configured around 8 to 9 passengers (with layouts varying by mission), the MD 902 is commonly arranged for about 6 to 7 passengers, and the S‑76D typically seats about 8 passengers in executive layouts, with options that trade comfort for higher density. Overall, H145 emphasizes versatility and cabin volume in the light-twin class, MD 902 focuses on light-twin utility and operating economics, and S‑76D prioritizes speed, refinement, and longer-range capability in a larger category.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 7.54 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | MD 902 Exlplorer | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 317 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 3125 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 988 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G500H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 131 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,250,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207E | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 710 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 65 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 159 | 296 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 40.6 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 12 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 33.9 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | — | — |