Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Piper M600 Sls
The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine helicopter aimed at short‑range, point‑to‑point missions where vertical takeoff and landing matter more than distance. Its practical range is a few hundred nautical miles, and typical passenger capacity is around six to seven occupants depending on configuration, making it well suited to urban access, offshore support, EMS, or utility work. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet designed for longer regional trips and fast city‑pair flying. It offers roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range and typically seats about six to ten passengers in executive layouts, trading runway requirements and cost for speed, altitude, and much greater range than a helicopter. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop positioned between them in capability and mission. It generally reaches around 1,400 nautical miles and usually carries about five to six passengers plus the pilot, offering efficient longer‑range travel than a helicopter at lower operating cost than a jet, but with less speed and capacity than the PC‑24.
| Spec | Pilatus PC-24 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.71 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | PC-24 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2076 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6680 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,619 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 440 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $11,800,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — |
| Lavatory Location | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional Refreshment Center | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23500 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | FJ44-4A-QPM | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 23 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 3435 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Horsepower | — | 600 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.2 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 55.8 | 43.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.6 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.1 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 23 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.4 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.8 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 17 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 90 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |