Beechcraft King Air 360 Er vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Sikorsky S 92
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is a fixed‑wing turboprop airplane, typically used for business and special‑mission flying. It generally offers the longest range of the group (roughly 1,500–2,000+ nautical miles depending on load and configuration) and commonly carries about 6–9 passengers in an executive layout, trading vertical-lift capability for speed and efficiency over distance. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium twin‑engine helicopter optimized for offshore and utility roles. Its range is commonly in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class (often around 400–500 nm with reserves, mission dependent) with typical seating around 16–19 passengers. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter aimed at law enforcement, EMS, and corporate shuttle work. It has the shortest range here (often around 200–350 nm) and usually carries about 6–8 passengers. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a heavy twin helicopter widely used offshore and for VIP/government transport. It generally matches or exceeds the AW189 in passenger capacity (often 19 passengers) with similar mission‑dependent ranges in the ~400–550 nm region, emphasizing payload and all‑weather capability.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 7417 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | 140 |