Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Pilatus Pc 24
The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine light utility helicopter suited to short‑range, point‑to‑point missions where vertical access matters more than speed. Its typical range is roughly 300–400 nautical miles, and it generally carries about 6–8 passengers depending on configuration, making it best for city-to-site hops, EMS, utility, or VIP transfers to places without runways. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a high‑speed, pressurized twin‑turboprop business aircraft optimized for efficient regional travel from conventional runways. It typically offers around 1,300–1,800 nautical miles of range and usually seats about 6–9 passengers, balancing cabin comfort with lower operating costs than many jets. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet designed for versatility, including operations from shorter or less‑prepared runways than many jets. It typically reaches about 1,800–2,000 nautical miles of range and commonly seats around 6–10 passengers, offering the highest cruise speed and jet cabin experience among the three.
| Spec | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Piaggio | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | Avanti EVO | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1530 | 2076 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3775 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 400 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 7,695,000 | $11,800,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 3.71 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.62 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 1,619 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 10 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 24000 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 6600 | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A–66B | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 28 | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 100 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 47.3 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 47.1 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 6.1 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 14.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 35.2 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 17 |