Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Robinson R66
The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet, optimized for fast, high-altitude point‑to‑point travel. It typically carries about 7–9 passengers and offers the longest practical trip length of the group, with roughly 2,000+ nautical miles of range depending on payload and conditions. The Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 is a large twin‑engine helicopter designed for offshore transport and SAR-style missions. It usually seats around 16–19 passengers (highly configuration-dependent) and has a typical range in the several-hundred‑nautical‑mile class, roughly about 450–500 nm, again varying with reserves and load. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter aimed at utility, EMS, and law-enforcement roles. It commonly carries about 6–8 passengers and has a typical range around 300 nm. The Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine helicopter focused on cost-effective transport and training. It generally seats 4–5 passengers and offers a typical range around 300–350 nm. Overall, the jet leads on range and speed, while the AW189 leads on helicopter capacity and lift.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 16.6 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | 85 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 |