Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Dassault Falcon 8X and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer serve very different missions. The Falcon 8X is a long-range, large-cabin business jet designed for high-speed intercity and intercontinental travel, cruising high above weather and covering vast distances efficiently. By contrast, the 902 Explorer is a twin-engine light utility helicopter optimized for short-range, point-to-point access where runways are unavailable, such as downtown pads, remote sites, and medical or law-enforcement operations. In range, the Falcon 8X is in an entirely different class, offering roughly 6,450 nautical miles, enabling nonstop flights such as New York to the Middle East or Europe to much of Asia depending on conditions. The 902 Explorer typically offers a few hundred nautical miles of range (often around 300–400 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves), making it suitable for regional missions rather than long-haul travel. Passenger capacity also differs: the Falcon 8X commonly seats about 12–16 passengers in executive layouts, while the 902 Explorer generally carries a small group, typically around 4–6 passengers plus crew, with flexibility for mission equipment.
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 |
| Min Crew | 2 |
| Total Seats | 17 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 |
| Cabin | |
| Cockpit | 3 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes |
| Total Seats | 17 |
| Galley Location | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 |
| Engine | |
| FADEC | Yes |
| Model | PW307D |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 |
| No. of Engines | 3 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (ft) | 80.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 86.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 42.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 26.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 140 |