Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Leonardo AW189 and Sikorsky S-76D sit in the medium, twin‑engine class aimed at offshore transport, SAR, and corporate utility. Both typically offer the longest legs in this group, roughly in the 400–500+ nautical mile range depending on fit, with the AW189 generally carrying the most people (commonly up to about 16–19 in high‑density layouts, fewer in VIP/mission kits) while the S‑76D is often configured around 12–13 passengers. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin used for EMS, law enforcement, and utility work; its range is usually mid‑pack (often around 300–350 nautical miles) and passenger capacity is commonly around 6–8 depending on interior and mission equipment. The Robinson R66 and MD 500E are light single‑engine helicopters. The R66 is typically used for training, private/VIP light transport, and utility, with about 4–5 seats and a range often around 300+ nautical miles. The MD 500E is a nimble utility/light observation platform, generally carrying about 4–5 and offering shorter-to-moderate range, often roughly 200–300 nautical miles.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | ROBINSON R66 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 | $ 3.49 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer | R66 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 258 | 317 | 350 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | $ 398 | $ 988 | $ 384 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 135 | 131 | 110 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 | $ 920,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 1483 | 3125 | 1355 | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | 250-C20B | PW207E | RR300 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 2000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 420 | 710 | 300 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 35 | 65 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 64 | 159 | 73.6 | 296 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | 30.9 | 40.6 | 38.3 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 8.7 | 12 | 11.4 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | 26.4 | 33.9 | 33 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | — | — | 50 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | — | — | 18 | — |