Beechcraft King Air 360 Er vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls vs Robinson R66
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is a twin‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft aimed at corporate and special‑mission use, offering long legs (roughly 1,500–1,800 nm typical, depending on fit and reserves) and usually carrying about 6–9 passengers. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft positioned for owner‑pilots, with a solid cross‑country range (about 1,200–1,400 nm) and seating commonly 4–5 passengers plus a pilot, depending on loading and configuration. In the rotorcraft group, the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) MD 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine light helicopter optimized for urban/public‑safety and utility roles, trading speed and efficiency for vertical access; it typically carries around 1–6 passengers and has a shorter range (often about 300–400 nm). The Robinson R66 is a single‑engine light helicopter for private/utility work, generally seating 4 passengers plus a pilot, with range commonly in the ~300–350 nm class. Overall, the fixed‑wing turboprops lead on range and passenger count, while the helicopters prioritize point‑to‑point access and hovering capability.
| Spec | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| Lavatory | No |
| Min Crew | 1 |
| Total Seats | 5 |
| Galley Location | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 8644 |
| Engine | |
| FADEC | No |
| Model | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 260 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (ft) | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 20 |