Beechcraft King Air 360 Er vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER and Piper M600 SLS are pressurized fixed‑wing turboprops, while the Leonardo AW189 and MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are helicopters. In category, the King Air 360ER sits in the twin‑engine business/utility turboprop class, optimized for longer missions and higher payload flexibility; the M600 SLS is a single‑engine personal/business turboprop aimed at owner‑operators. The AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter used for offshore transport, SAR, and utility work; the 902 Explorer is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter oriented toward corporate, EMS, and law‑enforcement missions. On range, the King Air 360ER is generally the longest‑legged of the group, offering roughly 1,500 nm class capability depending on load and reserves. The M600 SLS typically provides about 1,000–1,200 nm class range. The AW189’s range is commonly in the 450–500 nm class, while the 902 Explorer is usually around 300–400 nm, both varying with payload and fuel configuration. For passenger capacity, the AW189 is the largest, commonly configured around 16–19 seats. The King Air 360ER typically carries about 6–9 passengers in executive layouts. The 902 Explorer commonly carries about 5–7 passengers. The M600 SLS generally seats 5–6 including the pilot.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 2200 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 12.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 |