Compare MD Helicopters MD 500E vs MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
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| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Type | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 398 | $ 988 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 135 | 131 |
| Max Range (nm) | 258 | 317 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1483 | 3125 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 8 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 2 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 3 | 6 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Weights | ||
| MTOW (lbs) | 3000 | 6500 |
| MTOW External Load (lbs) | 3550 | 6900 |
| Max External Load (lbs) | 2069 | 3000 |
| BEW (lbs) | 1517 | 3375 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1483 | 3125 |
| Fuel Capacity (lbs) | 403 | 1065 |
| Useful Load Max Fuel (lbs) | 1099 | 2151 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 26.4 | 33.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.7 | 12 |
| Length (ft) | 30.9 | 40.6 |
| Engine | ||
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Model | 250-C20B | PW207E |
| Horsepower | 420 | 710 |
| FADEC | No | No |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 64 | 159 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 35 | 65 |
| Avionics | ||
| Flight Deck | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR |
| PFD | - | 1 |
| MFD | - | 1 |
| GPS | - | 1 |
| Transponder | 1 | 1 |
| VHF Com | 1 | 1 |
| VHF NAV | - | 1 |
| Cabin | ||
| Total Seats | 4 | 8 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 2 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 3 | 6 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Other | ||
| Gear Type | High Skids | Low Skids |
| Rotorhead | 5-Blade Articulated | 5-Blade Articulated |
| Tail Rotor | 2-Blade | NOTAR |
| Warranty | ||
| Pilot Training Credits | 1 | 1 |
| Airframe (Yrs) | 1 | 1 |
| Avionics (Yrs) | 2 | - |
| Performance | ||
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 135 | 131 |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | 135 | 131 |
| Max Range (nm) | 258 | 317 |
| Range Seats Full (nm) | 258 | 317 |
| Endurance (hrs) | 2.8 | 3.4 |
| Max Climb Rate (fpm) | 1770 | 2120 |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | 16000 | 21200 |
| Hover IGE (ft) | 11300 | 10650 |
| Hover OGE (ft) | 9500 | 8780 |