Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) MD 902 Explorer are both rotorcraft, but they sit in different utility classes. The AW189 is a larger twin‑engine medium helicopter typically used for offshore transport, SAR, and utility missions. It generally offers longer reach, with typical ranges on the order of roughly 450–500+ nautical miles depending on fit and reserves, and it can carry a larger cabin load, commonly around 16–19 passengers in high‑density layouts. The MD 902 Explorer is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter aimed at EMS, law enforcement, and corporate/utility roles; it usually trades range and cabin volume for agility and lower operating footprint, with typical range roughly around 300–350 nautical miles and passenger capacity commonly in the 6–8 range (configuration dependent). The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a fixed‑wing turboprop business aircraft rather than a helicopter. It is optimized for speed and efficient point‑to‑point travel, typically offering substantially more range than either helicopter (often around 1,200–1,500+ nautical miles) with seating commonly for 6–9 passengers.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3775 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | 47.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 14.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 |