Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Schweizer Rsg 300cbi
All six are light helicopters, but they span different niches. The Enstrom 480B-G is a light single-engine piston helicopter typically used for training, patrol, and utility work; it generally carries a pilot plus three passengers and offers moderate range for short-to-mid missions. The Leonardo SH09 is a newer light single-engine design aimed at private, training, and light utility roles; it is commonly described in the four-to-five-seat class and targets competitive range for its category, though final figures vary by configuration. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a light single-engine turbine helicopter optimized for speed, agility, and observation/utility work; it typically seats a pilot plus four and has moderate range. The MD 600N is a larger, more capable single-engine turbine with a six-seat cabin (pilot plus five) and generally longer range than the 500E, benefiting from its NOTAR design and higher useful load. The Robinson R66 is a light single-engine turbine positioned as a practical owner/operator aircraft; it typically carries a pilot plus four with solid range for regional trips. The Schweizer 300CBi is a light single-engine piston helicopter primarily associated with training; it commonly seats two to three and has the shortest range of this group.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R66 | Schweizer RSG 300CBi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 4.06 | $ 3.49 | $ 1.68 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Scheizer RSG |
| Aircraft Name | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 600N | R66 | 300CBi |
| Certification | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Passengers | 7 | — | — | — | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 430 | 258 | 341 | 350 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 3 | 5 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $627 | $ 398 | $ 545 | $ 384 | $ 158 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 140 | 135 | 134 | 110 | 94 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $3,400,000 | $ 920,000 | $ 360,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 1483 | 2000 | 1355 | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 3 | 5 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Model | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | 250-C47 | RR300 | HIO-360-G1A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5500 | 3500 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 1020 | 420 | 715 | 300 | 180 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 35 | 41 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 64 | 118 | 73.6 | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | — | 30.9 | 36.9 | 38.3 | 30.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 8.7 | 9.7 | 11.4 | 8.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 26.4 | 27.5 | 33 | 26.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 18 | — |