Enstrom 480b vs Gulfstream G700 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Sikorsky S 92
The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine piston helicopter used mainly for training, patrol, and utility flying. It has the shortest range of the group (typically only a few hundred miles) and the smallest cabin, generally carrying a pilot plus about three to four passengers depending on configuration and limits. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter, commonly used for law enforcement, EMS support, and corporate shuttle work. It offers more power and redundancy than the 480B, a modestly larger cabin, and a similar to somewhat longer practical range, with seating typically around six to eight. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a medium/large twin‑engine helicopter designed for offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, and VIP transport. It provides much greater range than the light helicopters (often several hundred nautical miles with reserves) and far higher capacity, commonly around 12–19 passengers depending on layout. The Gulfstream G700 is a long‑range large‑cabin business jet, not a rotorcraft, and it dominates on range (roughly 7,000+ nautical miles class) and cruise speed. Passenger capacity is typically around 13–19 in executive configurations, with far greater comfort and baggage volume than the helicopters.
| Spec | Gulfstream G700 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 4 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 16 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | G700 | S-92 |
| Certification | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 7500 | 439 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $78,000,000 | $30,650,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 19.79 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.94 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 7417 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,068 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 4 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | Optional | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 16 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| Model | Pearl 700 | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | On Condition | 4000 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 18250 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 2520 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 109.9 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | 103 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 8.2 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.25 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 56.9 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 25.4 | 17.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 195 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |