Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Enstrom 480b vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus H225 is a large, twin‑engine helicopter optimized for heavy lift and offshore transport. It typically carries about 19 passengers (higher in high‑density layouts) and offers long helicopter legs, roughly on the order of 450–500+ nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves. The Enstrom 480B is a light, single‑engine piston helicopter aimed at training and utility work; it generally seats 4–5 people and has a much shorter practical range, commonly around 200–300 nautical miles. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter with an enclosed NOTAR tail, often used for police/EMS and corporate missions; it usually seats about 8–10 passengers (depending on interior) and typically ranges roughly 300–350 nautical miles. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine light jet, not a helicopter, designed for fast point‑to‑point travel; it commonly seats 6–10 passengers in executive layouts and has a substantially longer range than the helicopters, roughly about 2,000 nautical miles class, making it the clear choice for longer trips where runway access is available.
| 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 |