Bell 412epi vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d
The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a light single-engine utility helicopter, typically carrying about 4 passengers with relatively short range (roughly a few hundred nautical miles). The Robinson R66 is also light and single-engine, usually seating about 4 passengers, with modest range broadly similar to other light singles. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin-engine helicopter, commonly configured for about 4–6 passengers and offering longer range and better redundancy than light singles. The Bell 412EPi is a medium twin, often used for utility and EMS, typically carrying around 10–13 passengers with medium-range capability. The Leonardo AW139 is a medium twin in a similar mission space, generally seating about 12–15 passengers with medium range. The Leonardo AW169 is a smaller, lighter intermediate twin, commonly around 6–8 passengers with moderate range. The Leonardo AW189 is a larger super-medium twin, often carrying about 16–19 passengers with longer range. The Sikorsky S-76D is a medium twin optimized for offshore/VIP, typically around 8–12 passengers with medium range. The Leonardo SH09 is a light single, aimed at about 4–6 passengers with short-to-moderate range.
| Spec | Bell 412EPi | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | ROBINSON R66 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 12.09 | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 | $ 15.57 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 | $ 3.49 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 17 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | 412EPi | AW139 | AW169 | AW189 | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer | R66 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 361 | 573 | 440 | 651 | 430 | 258 | 317 | 350 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.86 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 13 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4829 | 4701 | — | — | — | 1483 | 3125 | 1355 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 13 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,487 | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 | $ 2,413 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 | $ 384 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 123 | 165 | 140 | 155 | 140 | 135 | 131 | 110 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 12,500,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 | $ 920,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 17 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 13 | 15 | 10 | 19 | — | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 13 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Model | PT6T-9 | PT6C-67C | PW210A | CT7-2E1 | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E | RR300 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 | 2000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1370 | 1679 | 1000 | 1983 | 1020 | 420 | 710 | 300 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 113 | — | — | — | — | 35 | 65 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 330.5 | 414 | — | — | — | 64 | 159 | 73.6 | 296 |
| Dimensions | |||||||||
| Width (ft) | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 52.1 | 54.7 | 48.1 | 57.8 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 | 38.3 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.5 | 16.4 | 14.8 | 16.6 | — | 8.7 | 12 | 11.4 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 46 | 54.7 | — | 48 | — | 26.4 | 33.9 | 33 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 220 | 282 | 222.5 | 395 | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 28 | 120 | 49.5 | 85 | — | — | — | 18 | — |