Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Robinson R66 vs Sikorsky S 92
The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a light twin-engine helicopter typically used for law enforcement, EMS, and utility roles. It generally carries about 5 to 7 occupants depending on configuration, and its practical range is usually in the few-hundred-mile class, often roughly around 300 miles with typical reserves. The Robinson R66 is a light single-engine helicopter aimed at private and light commercial use; it commonly seats 4 to 5 people and has a similar short-to-mid range, often around 300 miles. The Sikorsky S-92 is a heavy twin-engine helicopter designed for offshore transport and search-and-rescue. It carries far more passengers—often around 18 to 19 in typical transport layouts—and has a longer helicopter-range profile, commonly on the order of 500 miles depending on payload and reserves. The Pilatus PC-24 is a twin-engine business jet rather than a helicopter, optimized for fast point-to-point travel. It typically seats about 6 to 10 passengers and offers substantially greater range than the helicopters listed, commonly around 2,000 miles, with much higher cruise speed.
| Spec | Pilatus PC-24 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.71 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Pilatus | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | PC-24 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2076 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.62 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6680 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,619 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 440 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $11,800,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional Refreshment Center | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23500 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-4A-QPM | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 23 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 3435 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 2520 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.2 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | 55.8 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.6 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 23 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.4 | 17.8 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.8 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 17 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 90 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |