Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Dassault Falcon 8X and Piaggio Avanti EVO are fixed‑wing business aircraft, while the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine helicopter aimed at rotorcraft utility and short‑range executive missions. In range, the Falcon 8X is the clear long‑haul option, capable of roughly 6,400 nautical miles, suitable for intercontinental nonstop trips. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a mid‑range turboprop business aircraft at about 1,700–1,800 nautical miles, geared to regional and some transcontinental segments depending on payload and conditions. The MD 902 Explorer has a much shorter reach, typically around 300–350 nautical miles, reflecting helicopter mission profiles and speed/fuel constraints. For passenger capacity, the Falcon 8X commonly seats about 12–14 in a business cabin configuration, with maximum layouts varying by operator. The Avanti EVO typically carries around 7–9 passengers in executive seating. The MD 902 Explorer generally seats about 7–8 including the pilot(s), making it comparable to the Avanti in headcount but with far less range and different operating flexibility (vertical takeoff/landing versus runway operations).
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 17 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 8X | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| 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 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW307D | PT6A–66B |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 | — |
| No. of Engines | 3 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 80.2 | 47.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 86.3 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 42.7 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 26.1 | 13.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.3 | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 140 | 35.2 |