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

The MD Helicopters MD 600N and MD 902 Explorer are typically positioned as light twin/NOTAR (600N is single‑engine with NOTAR; 902 is twin‑engine) turbine utility helicopters, while the Robinson R44 Raven II is a lighter, piston‑engine helicopter commonly used for training, personal transport, and light commercial work. In passenger capacity, the R44 Raven II generally seats four total (pilot plus three passengers). The MD 600N is usually configured for about five to six seats depending on interior and mission fit. The MD 902 Explorer commonly offers the most cabin flexibility of the three and is often configured around seven to eight seats, also varying with layout and equipment. For range, the R44 Raven II and MD 600N are often in a broadly similar “few hundred nautical miles” class depending heavily on fuel configuration, reserves, and payload, with the 600N tending to offer stronger turbine performance margins. The MD 902 Explorer frequently provides comparable or better operational range than the 600N in typical configurations, but real‑world legs depend strongly on mission equipment, fuel options, and operating profile.

SpecMD Helicopters MD 600NMD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerROBINSON R44 Raven II
Summary
Cockpit22
DOC / nm$ 4.06$ 7.54$ 2.36
Min Crew11
Total Seats684
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersRobinson Helicopters
Aircraft NameMD 600NMD 902 ExlplorerR44 Raven II
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341317300
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.68$ 0.94$ 0.59
Max Cabin Seats56
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)20003125995
Standard Cabin Seats56
Direct Operating Cost$ 545$ 988$ 257
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Gyro / AnalogGarmin G500HGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)134131109
Base Aircraft Price (USD) $3,400,000 $7,250,000 $ 490,000
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew11
Total Seats684
Max Cabin Seats56
Standard Cabin Seats56
Engine
FADECNoNoNo
Model250-C47PW207EIO-540
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelAvGas
TBO (hrs)200040002200
Horsepower715710245
No. of Engines121
Fuel Burn (gph)4165
Fuel Capacity (gal)11815929.5
TBO (yrs)12
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injected
Dimensions
Length (ft)36.940.638.3
Overall Height (ft)9.71210.8
Rotor Diameter (ft)27.533.933
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)2.5