Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Leonardo AW169 and Sikorsky S-76D sit in the intermediate twin‑engine helicopter class, typically chosen for offshore, EMS, and executive transport where twin‑engine redundancy and higher cruise performance are valued. The AW169 generally offers a flexible cabin with room for roughly 8–10 passengers in typical transport layouts and has a medium mission radius suited to regional point‑to‑point work. The S-76D is commonly configured around 8 passengers and is often selected for similar missions, with range in the same broad bracket as the AW169, depending heavily on interior fit, reserves, and optional tanks. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin, usually carrying about 6–8 passengers. It is generally shorter‑range than the AW169/S-76D class but can be very competitive for urban EMS and utility roles where operating costs and footprint matter. The Leonardo SH09 is a light single‑engine helicopter concept/variant, placing it in a lower category than the twins and typically implying fewer passengers and shorter range than the AW169 or S-76D, with mission profiles oriented to training, light utility, and short‑haul transport.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 11.84 | $4.48 | $ 7.54 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 12 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | AW169 | SH09 | MD 902 Exlplorer | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 440 | 430 | 317 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $0.56 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,658 | $627 | $ 988 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G500H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 140 | 140 | 131 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,450,000 | $3,500,000 | $7,250,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | 7 | — | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | — | 3125 | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 12 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | PW210A | HTS 900 | PW207E | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1000 | 1020 | 710 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 65 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 159 | 296 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 48.1 | — | 40.6 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | — | 12 | 14.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 222.5 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 49.5 | — | — | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | — | 33.9 | 44 |