Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 Er vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
By category, the Beechcraft King Air 360ER is a twin‑turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft aimed at efficient regional transport, while the Airbus H225, Leonardo AW189, and MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters oriented toward offshore, utility, EMS, and corporate missions (with the 902 also known for its NOTAR anti‑torque system and smaller footprint). On range, the King Air 360ER generally offers the longest reach, typically on the order of roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves, making it best suited to longer point‑to‑point trips. The H225 and AW189 sit in the middle, with typical mission ranges in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class (often around 450–550 nm), optimized for offshore legs and versatile rotorcraft operations. The MD 902 Explorer is usually shorter‑range, commonly a few hundred nautical miles (roughly 300–400 nm). For passenger capacity, the H225 is the largest here, often configured around 16–19 passengers. The AW189 is similar but typically slightly lower, commonly around 16–18. The King Air 360ER usually carries about 6–9 passengers in executive layouts. The MD 902 generally seats about 6–8.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 |