Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls vs Sikorsky S 92
The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) MD 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter typically used for short‑to‑medium missions such as EMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttles. Its practical range is in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, and it generally carries a pilot plus about six to seven passengers depending on interior and mission equipment. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft aimed at personal and business travel. Compared with the helicopters, it offers substantially longer range—typically around 1,000+ nautical miles—at higher cruise speeds, but with a smaller cabin. Passenger capacity is usually one pilot with up to five passengers (six seats total), emphasizing efficient point‑to‑point travel between airports. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a medium‑lift twin‑engine helicopter designed for offshore energy transport, SAR, and VIP/utility roles. It has the highest passenger capacity of the three, commonly configured for roughly 19 passengers, and its range is generally several hundred nautical miles—often comparable to or greater than the MD 902 depending on fit—prioritizing payload and mission capability over fixed‑wing endurance.
| Spec | Piper M600 SLS | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.19 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Piper | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | M600 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1406 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.55 | $ 0.94 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2200 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 603 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 274 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,081,400 | $30,650,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 21 |
| Galley Location | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5.6 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Refreshment Centre | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 12600 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 8644 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | No | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-42A | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 600 | 2520 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 55 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 260 | 760 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 29.7 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | 43.2 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.3 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.3 | 17.8 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 165 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 20 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |