Bell 407gxi vs Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Schweizer Rsg 300cbi
All of these are light helicopters, but they span piston and turbine power, which drives range and cabin capability. The Bell 407GXi is a single‑engine turbine utility helicopter in the light–intermediate class, typically seating a pilot plus up to six passengers depending on configuration, with a generally mid-to-long range for the segment. The Enstrom 480B‑G is a light single‑turbine helicopter, commonly configured for a pilot plus four passengers, with moderate range. The MD 500E is a light single‑turbine “hot and high” performer with a smaller cabin, usually a pilot plus four passengers, and comparatively shorter range. The MD 600N remains a light single‑turbine helicopter but adds the NOTAR anti‑torque system and a larger cabin, typically a pilot plus five to six passengers, with moderate range. The Robinson R44 Raven I is a light piston helicopter, usually a pilot plus three passengers, with moderate range but generally less than comparable turbines. The Robinson R66 is a light single‑turbine helicopter, typically a pilot plus four passengers, with moderate-to-good range. The Schweizer 300CBi is a light piston trainer/utility helicopter with limited cabin capacity, typically two to three occupants, and the shortest range of this group.
| Spec | Bell 407GXi | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R44 Raven I | ROBINSON R66 | Schweizer RSG 300CBi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.43 | $ 2.95 | $ 4.06 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.49 | $ 1.68 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Scheizer RSG |
| Aircraft Name | 407GXi | MD 500E | MD 600N | R44 Raven I | R66 | 300CBi |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 337 | 258 | 341 | 300 | 350 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2300 | 1483 | 2000 | 950 | 1355 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 2 | 5 | — | 3 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 589 | $ 398 | $ 545 | $ 248 | $ 384 | $ 158 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000H NXI | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 133 | 135 | 134 | 108 | 110 | 94 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,225,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $3,400,000 | $ 412,000 | $ 920,000 | $ 360,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 2 | 5 | — | 3 | — |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Model | M250-C47E/4 | 250-C20B | 250-C47 | O-540 | RR300 | HIO-360-G1A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 | 2000 | 2200 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 862 | 420 | 715 | 225 | 300 | 180 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 46 | 35 | 41 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 127.8 | 64 | 118 | 29.5 | 73.6 | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Carbureted | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Width (ft) | 25.4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 41.4 | 30.9 | 36.9 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 30.9 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 3.9 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10.2 | 8.7 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 11.4 | 8.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35 | 26.4 | 27.5 | 33 | 33 | 26.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 125 | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 16 | — | — | — | 18 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 2.5 | — | — |