AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d

By category, the Airbus Helicopters H175 and Leonardo AW189 sit in the super-midsize/large twin segment, designed for offshore and high-utilization transport. The Sikorsky S‑76D is a medium twin optimized for executive and offshore missions. The Leonardo AW169 is a light-intermediate twin, bridging smaller EMS/corporate roles with higher speed and modern avionics. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin, while the MD 500E is a light single, typically used for utility and law-enforcement-type work. The Robinson R66 is a light single aimed at cost-effective private, training, and light utility flying. In range, the AW189 and H175 generally lead among this group, commonly around the 450–500+ nautical mile class depending on configuration, with the S‑76D often in a similar but slightly lower bracket. The AW169 typically offers mid-300 to low-400 nautical mile capability. The MD 902, R66, and MD 500E usually fall into shorter-range profiles, often around the 250–350 nautical mile class. For passenger capacity, the AW189 and H175 typically carry the most (often up to around 16–19), the S‑76D commonly seats about 12, the AW169 around 8–10, the MD 902 about 7–8, the R66 about 4–5, and the MD 500E around 4–5.

SpecAIRBUS H175AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerROBINSON R66Sikorsky S-76D
Summary
Cockpit2222222
DOC / nm$ 13.53$ 11.84$ 15.57$ 2.95$ 7.54$ 3.49$ 11.49
Min Crew2111112
Total Seats18122148512
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRVFRVFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersLeonardoLeonardoMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersRobinson HelicoptersSikorsky
Aircraft NameH175AW169AW189MD 500EMD 902 ExlplorerR66S-76D
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)573440651258317350441
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.75$ 0.99$ 0.74$ 0.74$ 0.94$ 0.70$ 0.96
Max Cabin Seats1810193610
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)6797148331251355
Standard Cabin Seats16101926310
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,016$ 1,658$ 2,413$ 398$ 988$ 384$ 1,781
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISEFISEFISGyro / AnalogGarmin G500HGyro / AnalogThales TopDeck
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)149140155135131110155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$17,900,000 $9,450,000 $2,413,000$ 2,750,000 $7,250,000 $ 920,000 $14,900,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222222
Min Crew2111112
Total Seats18122148512
Max Cabin Seats1810193610
Standard Cabin Seats16101926310
Engine
FADECYesYesYesNoNoNoYes
ModelPT6A-67EPW210ACT7-2E1250-C20BPW207ERR300PW210S
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)3500400040003500400020004000
Horsepower1775100019834207103001077
No. of Engines2221211
Fuel Burn (gph)3565
Fuel Capacity (gal)6415973.6296
Dimensions
Length (ft)59.248.157.830.940.638.352.5
Overall Height (ft)17.514.816.68.71211.414.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)48.54826.433.93344
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)423.8222.539550
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)81.949.58518