Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Sikorsky S 92
The Airbus H225 and Sikorsky S‑92 are large, twin‑engine helicopters typically used for offshore transport and SAR-style missions; both prioritize vertical access and cabin volume over speed. In category terms, they sit above the lighter MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer, which is a smaller twin helicopter often used for law enforcement, EMS, and utility roles. The Embraer Legacy 650E is the outlier: it is a long‑range business jet, not a rotorcraft, optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel between airports. For range, the Legacy 650E is far ahead, typically around 3,900–4,000 nautical miles, while the helicopters are generally in the few-hundred‑nautical‑mile class. The H225 and S‑92 are broadly comparable for helicopter range (often roughly 450–550 nautical miles depending on fit and reserves), and the MD 902 is shorter-range (commonly around 300–350 nautical miles). Passenger capacity also differs by mission. The H225 and S‑92 can often seat around 18–19 passengers in transport layouts. The MD 902 usually carries about 6–8. The Legacy 650E typically seats about 13–14 in executive configuration.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |