Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Embraer Legacy 650E is a long-range business jet, optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel over several thousand nautical miles; it typically carries about 13–14 passengers in executive seating, making it the clear choice when range and cruise speed matter most. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine helicopter intended for short‑range missions such as training, utility work, and local transport. Passenger capacity is small, generally up to five occupants including the pilot, and practical range is in the low‑hundreds of nautical miles. The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a large twin‑engine medium helicopter designed for offshore, SAR, and high‑payload utility roles. It carries far more people than light helicopters—commonly around 16–19 depending on configuration—and offers a mid‑hundreds‑of‑nautical‑miles class range. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter positioned between the Enstrom and the AW189. It is typically configured for about 7–10 occupants (layout dependent) and provides short‑to‑moderate range, generally a few hundred nautical miles.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 |
| Engine | |
| FADEC | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (ft) | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 |