Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are helicopters, while the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and Pilatus PC-24 are fixed‑wing aircraft. In category and mission, the H225 is a heavy, twin‑engine helicopter typically used for offshore transport and search-and-rescue, whereas the 902 Explorer is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter geared more toward law enforcement, EMS, and utility work. The Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, rugged routes, and the PC‑24 is a twin‑engine light business jet designed for fast regional travel, including operation from relatively short runways. For range, the PC‑24 generally offers the longest reach (roughly 2,000+ nautical miles), the Grand Caravan EX is mid‑range (around 900–1,000+ nm), and both helicopters typically have shorter ranges (often on the order of 300–500+ nm depending on configuration). For passenger capacity, the H225 is the largest (commonly up to about 19), the Grand Caravan EX typically seats around 9–14, the PC‑24 usually carries about 6–10 passengers in executive layouts, and the 902 Explorer is smaller, often around 6–8.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 23500 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 52.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 23 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 90 |