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Leonardo Aw189 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d

The Leonardo AW189 is a large, twin‑engine helicopter in the super‑medium class, typically configured for around 16–19 passengers with a long range suited to offshore and utility missions. The Sikorsky S‑76D is a midsize, twin‑engine helicopter, commonly carrying about 12 passengers (often fewer in executive layouts) with a solid medium‑to‑long range for corporate and offshore transport. The Leonardo SH09 is a light, single‑engine helicopter aimed at training and utility roles, generally carrying a pilot plus about 4 passengers with a moderate range. The Robinson R66 is also a light single‑engine turbine helicopter, typically seating 4 passengers plus pilot, with moderate range and lower operating costs. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a light, single‑engine helicopter in the 5–6 seat class, usually offering moderate range and strong agility for utility and law‑enforcement work. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter (often treated as a light‑intermediate), commonly seating about 7–8, with moderate range and added twin‑engine redundancy.

SpecAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerROBINSON R66Sikorsky S-76D
Summary
Cockpit222222
DOC / nm$ 15.57$4.48$ 2.95$ 7.54$ 3.49$ 11.49
Min Crew111112
Total Seats21848512
Flight RulesIFRVFRVFRVFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerLeonardoLeonardoMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersRobinson HelicoptersSikorsky
Aircraft NameAW189SH09MD 500EMD 902 ExlplorerR66S-76D
CertificationFAA / EASAIn-DevelopmentFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)651430258317350441
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.74$0.56$ 0.74$ 0.94$ 0.70$ 0.96
Max Cabin Seats1963610
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Standard Cabin Seats19626310
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,413$627$ 398$ 988$ 384$ 1,781
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISEFISGyro / AnalogGarmin G500HGyro / AnalogThales TopDeck
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)155140135131110155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$2,413,000$3,500,000$ 2,750,000 $7,250,000 $ 920,000 $14,900,000
Max Passengers7
Useful Load (lbs)148331251355
Cabin
Cockpit222222
Min Crew111112
Total Seats21848512
Max Cabin Seats193610
Standard Cabin Seats19626310
Engine
FADECYesYesNoNoNoYes
ModelCT7-2E1HTS 900250-C20BPW207ERR300PW210S
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400055003500400020004000
Horsepower198310204207103001077
No. of Engines211211
Fuel Burn (gph)3565
Fuel Capacity (gal)6415973.6296
Dimensions
Length (ft)57.830.940.638.352.5
Overall Height (ft)16.68.71211.414.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)4826.433.93344
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)39550
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)8518