Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Sikorsky S 92
The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer and Sikorsky S-92 are helicopters, while the Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop airplane and the Pilatus PC‑24 is a light twin‑jet. In range terms, the 902 Explorer is a short‑to‑medium range rotorcraft, typically a few hundred nautical miles depending on reserves and payload, suited to city-to-site missions and utility work. The larger S‑92 is a long‑range heavy helicopter, commonly used for offshore and SAR roles, with roughly 500+ nautical miles class endurance in typical configurations. The Avanti EVO generally offers around 1,500–1,700 nautical miles of range, optimized for efficient regional business travel. The PC‑24 is in a similar bracket at roughly 1,800–2,000 nautical miles depending on load and conditions, and adds higher cruise speeds plus runway flexibility. Passenger capacity also separates them: the 902 Explorer is usually configured for about 6–7 passengers, the Avanti EVO typically seats about 7–9, the PC‑24 commonly carries 6–10 in executive layouts, and the S‑92 is the people-mover, often configured around 19 passengers (or fewer in VIP/SAR).
| Spec | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Pilatus PC-24 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Piaggio | Pilatus | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | Avanti EVO | PC-24 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1530 | 2076 | 439 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3775 | 6680 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 400 | 440 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 7,695,000 | $11,800,000 | $30,650,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 3.71 | $ 19.79 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.62 | $ 0.94 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 1,619 | $ 3,068 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 10 | 19 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9 | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional Refreshment Center | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Model | PT6A–66B | FJ44-4A-QPM | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 2520 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 28 | ISA + 23 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 100 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3435 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | — | JetFuel |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 760 |
| 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 | 17.8 |
| 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 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 140 |