Enstrom 480b vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Piper M600 Sls
The Enstrom 480B and MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are light turbine helicopters aimed at short-to-medium missions with vertical lift. The 480B is typically configured for about five seats and is best suited to shorter legs; the 902 Explorer is a larger, more powerful light twin with space for roughly eight to ten occupants depending on layout, generally offering greater useful cabin capacity and competitive helicopter range for utility, EMS, or corporate shuttle work. The Piaggio Avanti EVO and Piper M600 SLS are fixed‑wing turboprops optimized for speed and cross‑country efficiency. The Avanti EVO is a fast, pressurized twin‑turboprop business aircraft with a typical capacity around seven to nine passengers and a long range suited to regional and many intercity missions. The M600 SLS is a single‑engine, pressurized personal/business turboprop commonly seating about five to six passengers, with solid range for owner‑pilot travel but generally less cabin volume and typically less overall range than the Avanti EVO. Overall, helicopters trade speed and range for access and point‑to‑point flexibility, while the Avanti EVO leads in cruise speed and longer-range business travel, and the M600 SLS targets simpler, owner‑operated cross‑country flying.
| Spec | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Piaggio | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Avanti EVO | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1530 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3775 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 400 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 7,695,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.19 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 603 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 24000 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 6600 | 8644 |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A–66B | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 28 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 100 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 47.3 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 47.1 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 14.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 35.2 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |