Compare MD Helicopters MD 500E vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven II vs Robinson Helicopters R66
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| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Type | MD 500E | R44 Raven II | R66 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 2,750,000 | $ 490,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 398 | $ 257 | $ 384 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.95 | $ 2.36 | $ 3.49 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.59 | $ 0.70 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 135 | 109 | 110 |
| Max Range (nm) | 258 | 300 | 350 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1483 | 995 | 1355 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | 2 | - | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 2 | - | 3 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 3 | - | - |
| Min Crew | 1 | - | 1 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Weights | |||
| MTOW (lbs) | 3000 | 2500 | 2700 |
| MTOW External Load (lbs) | 3550 | - | - |
| Max External Load (lbs) | 2069 | - | - |
| BEW (lbs) | 1517 | 1505 | 1345 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1483 | 995 | 1355 |
| Fuel Capacity (lbs) | 403 | 279 | 493 |
| Useful Load Max Fuel (lbs) | 1099 | 716 | 862 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 26.4 | 33 | 33 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.7 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| Length (ft) | 30.9 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | - | - | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | - | 2.5 | - |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | - | - | 18 |
| Engine | |||
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Model | 250-C20B | IO-540 | RR300 |
| Horsepower | 420 | 245 | 300 |
| FADEC | No | No | No |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 2200 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | - | 12 | - |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas | JetFuel |
| Fuel Delivery | - | Fuel Injected | - |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 64 | 29.5 | 73.6 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 35 | - | - |
| Avionics | |||
| Flight Deck | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Transponder | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| VHF Com | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| VHF NAV | - | - | 1 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | 2 | - | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 2 | - | 3 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 3 | - | - |
| Min Crew | 1 | - | 1 |
| Other | |||
| Gear Type | High Skids | Skids | Low Skids |
| Rotorhead | 5-Blade Articulated | 2-Blade Teetoring | 2-Blade Teetoring |
| Tail Rotor | 2-Blade | 2-Blade | 2-Blade |
| Warranty | |||
| Pilot Training Credits | 1 | - | - |
| Airframe (Yrs) | 1 | - | - |
| Avionics (Yrs) | 2 | - | - |
| Performance | |||
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 135 | 109 | 110 |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | 135 | 100 | 110 |
| Max Speed (Vne) | - | 130 | 130 |
| Max Range (nm) | 258 | 300 | 350 |
| Range Seats Full (nm) | 258 | 257 | 341 |
| Endurance (hrs) | 2.8 | - | - |
| Max Climb Rate (fpm) | 1770 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | 16000 | 14000 | 14000 |
| Hover IGE (ft) | 11300 | 8950 | 10000 |
| Hover OGE (ft) | 9500 | - | 10000 |