Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls
The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin business jet designed for intercontinental travel. It typically carries about 12–16 passengers (with a maximum around 19 depending on layout) and offers roughly 6,000+ nautical miles of range, making it the clear leader for nonstop distance and comfort. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop aimed at efficient regional and personal/business missions. It generally seats 5–6 passengers and has a range on the order of 1,400 nautical miles, far shorter than the Falcon 8X but well suited to shorter trips and smaller airfields. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter used for utility, EMS, and corporate transport. It typically carries the pilot plus about 6–7 passengers, with range commonly a few hundred nautical miles (roughly 300–400 nm), prioritizing vertical access over distance. The Enstrom 480B is a smaller single‑engine helicopter, usually configured for the pilot plus 4 passengers, with similarly short‑range capability (roughly 300+ nm), optimized for local transport, training, and utility roles.
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 17 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 8X | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 17 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 | 8644 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | PW307D | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 | — |
| No. of Engines | 3 | 1 |
| Horsepower | — | 600 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 80.2 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 86.3 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.7 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.2 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 42.7 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 26.1 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 | 165 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 140 | 20 |