Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Sikorsky S 92
The Embraer Legacy 650E is a long-range business jet, built for fast, high-altitude travel between cities. It offers the greatest range of the group at roughly 3,900–4,000 nautical miles and typically carries about 13–14 passengers in an executive cabin, making it best for nonstop intercontinental-style missions where helicopters would be impractical. The Leonardo AW189 is a super-medium twin helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and utility/VIP roles. Its range is roughly 450–500 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves, and it commonly seats around 16–19 passengers in transport layouts. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter optimized for short-haul corporate, EMS, and law-enforcement work. It has the shortest reach here at about 250–350 nautical miles and typically carries about 7–8 passengers. The Sikorsky S-92 is a larger heavy twin helicopter widely used for offshore transport and government roles. Its range is generally around 500–600 nautical miles, and it typically carries about 19 passengers (with higher-density options in some configurations).
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 7417 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | 140 |