Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Schweizer Rsg 300cbi
All eight are light helicopters, but they split into two broad categories: piston trainers/light utility and turbine light utility. The Robinson R22 Beta II and Schweizer 300CBi are two‑seat, piston, primary training helicopters with comparatively short range and limited useful load. The MD 500E is a light, agile turbine helicopter typically configured for about four to five occupants and generally offers moderate range for short utility, patrol, or aerial work. The Robinson R44 Raven I is a four‑seat piston helicopter with longer range than the two‑seat trainers and is often used for touring and light utility. The Enstrom 480B‑G is a light turbine utility helicopter, commonly seating five, with range broadly comparable to other light turbines and generally more payload flexibility than piston types. The Robinson R66 is a five‑seat turbine, usually offering solid range and good cross‑country capability for its class. The MD 600N is a larger light turbine (NOTAR), typically seating six and aimed at higher utility capacity with moderate range. The Leonardo SH09 concept is positioned as a modern light single, generally in the four‑to‑five‑seat class, targeting competitive light‑utility range.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R44 Raven I | ROBINSON R66 | Schweizer RSG 300CBi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 4.06 | $ 1.80 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.49 | $ 1.68 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Scheizer RSG |
| Aircraft Name | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 600N | R22 Beta II | R44 Raven I | R66 | 300CBi |
| Certification | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Passengers | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 430 | 258 | 341 | 250 | 300 | 350 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 3 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $627 | $ 398 | $ 545 | $ 173 | $ 248 | $ 384 | $ 158 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 140 | 135 | 134 | 96 | 108 | 110 | 94 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $3,400,000 | $ 312,000 | $ 412,000 | $ 920,000 | $ 360,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 1483 | 2000 | 490 | 950 | 1355 | — |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 3 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Model | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | 250-C47 | O-360 | O-540 | RR300 | HIO-360-G1A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5500 | 3500 | 2000 | 2000 | 2200 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 1020 | 420 | 715 | 131 | 225 | 300 | 180 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 35 | 41 | — | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 64 | 118 | 115 | 29.5 | 73.6 | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Carbureted | Carbureted | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | — | 30.9 | 36.9 | 28.5 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 30.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 8.7 | 9.7 | 8.8 | 10.8 | 11.4 | 8.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 26.4 | 27.5 | 25.2 | 33 | 33 | 26.9 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 1.5 | 2.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — |