AIR.ONE

Md Helicopters Md 530f vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii

The MD Helicopters MD 530F is a light single‑engine utility helicopter in the “500” family, typically configured for a pilot plus about four passengers. Its practical range is generally in the few‑hundred‑mile class, varying with tanks, load, and conditions. The MD 600N is also a light single‑engine helicopter but steps up in cabin volume and useful load; it commonly seats a pilot plus around five to six passengers and offers a similar few‑hundred‑mile range, often slightly better depending on configuration. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter aimed at corporate, public‑service, and EMS roles; it usually carries one to two pilots plus roughly six to seven passengers and has a comparable mid‑hundreds‑mile range, with twin‑engine redundancy as its defining category difference. The Robinson R44 Raven II is a light single‑engine piston helicopter, typically seating a pilot plus three passengers, with a range also in the few‑hundred‑mile bracket; it is generally the simplest and most cost‑focused of the group, but with less cabin and payload than the larger MD models.

SpecMD Helicopters MD 530FMD Helicopters MD 600NMD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerROBINSON R44 Raven II
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 3.59$ 4.06$ 7.54$ 2.36
Min Crew111
Total Seats4684
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersRobinson Helicopters
Aircraft NameMD 530FMD 600NMD 902 ExlplorerR44 Raven II
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)216341317300
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.90$ 0.68$ 0.94$ 0.59
Max Cabin Seats356
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)150920003125995
Standard Cabin Seats256
Direct Operating Cost$ 480$ 545$ 988$ 257
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGyro / AnalogGarmin G500HGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)134134131109
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 3,400,000 $3,400,000 $7,250,000 $ 490,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats4684
Max Cabin Seats356
Standard Cabin Seats256
Engine
FADECNoNoNoNo
Model250-C30250-C47PW207EIO-540
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelAvGas
TBO (hrs)2000200040002200
Horsepower650715710245
No. of Engines1121
Fuel Burn (gph)354165
Fuel Capacity (gal)6411815929.5
TBO (yrs)12
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injected
Dimensions
Length (ft)32.236.940.638.3
Overall Height (ft)8.79.71210.8
Rotor Diameter (ft)27.527.533.933
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)2.5