Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d
By category, the Airbus Helicopters H175 and Sikorsky S‑76D sit in the medium twin‑engine class aimed at offshore transport, EMS, and executive missions. The Leonardo SH09 (commonly referenced as the AW09) and MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer are lighter aircraft, typically used for EMS, law enforcement, utility, and corporate roles, while the Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine turbine mainly suited to personal, training, light utility, and short regional hops. On range, the H175 and S‑76D generally offer the longest legs in this group, configured to support offshore and longer overwater segments. The MD 902 and AW09/SH09 typically provide mid‑tier range appropriate for regional public‑service and commercial missions. The R66 usually has the shortest practical range, reflecting its smaller size and single‑engine design. For passenger capacity, the H175 leads, often configured around 16–18 seats in transport layouts. The S‑76D commonly carries about 12 passengers. The AW09/SH09 and MD 902 typically seat roughly 6–8 depending on interior and mission equipment. The R66 is usually a 5‑seat helicopter (including the pilot).
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | ROBINSON R66 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | $4.48 | $ 7.54 | $ 3.49 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | SH09 | MD 902 Exlplorer | R66 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 430 | 317 | 350 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | $0.56 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 6 | 6 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | — | 3125 | 1355 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | $627 | $ 988 | $ 384 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 140 | 131 | 110 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $3,500,000 | $7,250,000 | $ 920,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | 7 | — | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | — | 6 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-67E | HTS 900 | PW207E | RR300 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5500 | 4000 | 2000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 1020 | 710 | 300 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 65 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 159 | 73.6 | 296 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | — | 40.6 | 38.3 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | — | 12 | 11.4 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | — | 33.9 | 33 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | — | — | 18 | — |