Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Piper M600 Sls vs Sikorsky S 92
The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer and the Sikorsky S‑92 are rotorcraft, while the Pilatus PC‑24 and Piper M600 SLS are fixed‑wing airplanes. In category, the 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter suited to short‑range utility, EMS, and law enforcement missions, whereas the S‑92 is a much larger medium/heavy twin helicopter built for offshore transport and high‑capacity commercial or government roles. The PC‑24 is a light business jet designed for fast point‑to‑point travel and flexible operations, and the M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop aimed at owner‑pilots and efficient regional trips. On range, the PC‑24 typically offers the longest reach (roughly around 2,000 nautical miles class, depending on load and reserves), the M600 SLS follows at about the mid‑1,000 nautical mile class, and both helicopters generally have shorter ranges, commonly in the few‑hundred nautical mile class depending on configuration. Passenger capacity differs sharply: the 902 Explorer commonly carries around 6–8, the M600 SLS seats up to 6, the PC‑24 is typically configured around 6–10, and the S‑92 can carry roughly 19 passengers in high‑density layouts.
| Spec | Pilatus PC-24 | Piper M600 SLS | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.71 | $ 2.19 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Pilatus | Piper | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | PC-24 | M600 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2076 | 1406 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6680 | 2200 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,619 | $ 603 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 440 | 274 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $11,800,000 | $3,081,400 | $30,650,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | IFR |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 5.6 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional Refreshment Center | Refreshment Centre | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23500 | 12600 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-4A-QPM | PT6A-42A | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 23 | ISA + 55 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 3435 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Horsepower | — | 600 | 2520 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 | 760 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | JetFuel |
| 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 | 17.8 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.8 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 17 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 90 | 20 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 140 |