Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Sikorsky S 92

The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer and the Sikorsky S-92 sit in very different categories. The MD 902 is a light twin-engine helicopter, commonly used for law enforcement, EMS, and utility missions where agility, lower operating costs, and access to tight landing sites matter. The Sikorsky S-92 is a heavy twin-engine helicopter designed for offshore oil-and-gas transport, search and rescue, and VIP/airline-style shuttle work, emphasizing high payload, long overwater capability, and robust systems. In range, the S-92 generally offers substantially longer legs than the MD 902, reflecting its larger fuel capacity and mission profile; typical planning ranges are roughly in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles for the MD 902 versus several hundred nautical miles and often higher for the S-92 depending on configuration and reserves. Passenger capacity also differs sharply. The MD 902 typically carries a small group, often around six to eight passengers depending on interior and mission equipment, while the S-92 is built for much higher loads, commonly seating around 19 passengers in an offshore transport layout.