Bell 412epi vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Bell 412EPi and Sikorsky S‑76D sit in higher utility and medium categories, offering the greatest cabin volume and typically the longest practical range in this group. The 412EPi is a twin‑engine utility helicopter commonly configured for about 10–13 passengers (depending on interior and mission kit) with solid medium‑range legs, while the S‑76D is a twin‑engine medium/heavy light transport that commonly seats about 8–12 and is often chosen when speed and range are priorities. Leonardo’s SH09 is a light single‑engine helicopter aimed at the training and light‑utility market, generally carrying about 4–5 passengers with shorter to moderate range compared with the twins. MD’s 500E is a light single‑engine helicopter, typically 4–5 passengers, optimized for agility and short to moderate range. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin, usually about 6–8 passengers, with better redundancy and generally more range than single‑engine light types. Robinson’s R66 is a light single‑engine turbine, typically 4–5 passengers, with moderate range suitable for personal and light commercial missions.
| Spec | Bell 412EPi | 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 |
| DOC / nm | $ 12.09 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 | $ 3.49 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | 412EPi | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer | R66 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 361 | 430 | 258 | 317 | 350 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.86 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 13 | 6 | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4829 | — | 1483 | 3125 | 1355 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 13 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,487 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 | $ 384 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 123 | 140 | 135 | 131 | 110 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 12,500,000 | $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 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 13 | — | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 13 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Model | PT6T-9 | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E | RR300 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 | 2000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1370 | 1020 | 420 | 710 | 300 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 113 | — | 35 | 65 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 330.5 | — | 64 | 159 | 73.6 | 296 |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Width (ft) | 33 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 52.1 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 | 38.3 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.5 | — | 8.7 | 12 | 11.4 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 46 | — | 26.4 | 33.9 | 33 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 220 | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 28 | — | — | — | 18 | — |