Curti Zefhir vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
The Curti Zefhir is a light, fixed‑wing aircraft designed primarily for economical personal flying and basic training, while the MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine light utility helicopter aimed at law enforcement, EMS support, corporate transport, and other mission roles requiring vertical takeoff and landing. In terms of range, the Zefhir typically offers a longer point‑to‑point cruising range for its class because fixed‑wing aircraft are generally more fuel‑efficient in forward flight, whereas the MD 902’s range is usually shorter, reflecting the higher fuel burn of rotary‑wing operations but offset by the ability to operate without runways and to hover or maneuver precisely at low speed. Passenger capacity also differs: the Zefhir is normally configured as a two‑seat aircraft (pilot plus one passenger), while the MD 902 commonly seats a pilot and several passengers, with many interiors configured around five to seven total seats depending on equipment and mission fit.
| Spec | Curti Zefhir | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Total Seats | 2 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Curti | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | Zefhir | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Max Range (nm) | 319 | 317 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $58,823 | $7,250,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Flight Rules | — | VFR |
| Certification | — | FAA / EASA |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 6 |
| OEM Verification | — | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | — | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | — | 131 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | — | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 6 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | — | No |
| Model | — | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 4000 |
| Horsepower | — | 710 |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 159 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | — | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 33.9 |