Cessna Citation Xls vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls
The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet designed for fast point‑to‑point travel between larger airports. It typically carries 7 to 9 passengers in a pressurized cabin and offers a range on the order of about 2,000 nautical miles, making it suitable for regional to transcontinental trips depending on payload and winds. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter optimized for short‑range missions, urban access, and operations into confined areas where runways are not available. Passenger capacity is generally up to about 7 (often fewer in executive or mission configurations), and practical range is usually a few hundred nautical miles rather than thousands. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop airplane that sits between the two in mission profile. It typically seats 5 to 6 passengers and provides a range roughly around 1,400 nautical miles, favoring efficient regional travel and access to shorter runways, though it cannot match the jet’s speed or the helicopter’s vertical access.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | PW545C | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Horsepower | — | 600 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | 43.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |