Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Schweizer Rsg 300c vs Schweizer Rsg 300cbi
The MD Helicopters MD 600N is a light turbine helicopter typically configured for about five to seven occupants (including pilot), and it generally offers a moderate range suited to utility, patrol, and corporate missions. The Robinson R22 Beta II is a small piston trainer in the two‑seat category, with a comparatively short range optimized for instruction and local flights. The Robinson R66 steps up to a light turbine, usually seating around five (including pilot), and commonly provides a longer, more practical cross‑country range than the R22 while remaining in a compact single‑engine class. The Schweizer RSG 300C and 300CBi are light, piston, two‑seat training helicopters, broadly comparable to the R22 in passenger capacity and typical mission profile, with ranges generally in the short-to-moderate band for training and nearby operations rather than long cross‑country work. Across this group, capacity and range tend to scale with engine class and airframe size: the two‑seat piston trainers (R22, 300C, 300CBi) are the smallest and shortest‑ranged, the R66 is a mid‑capacity longer‑leg turbine, and the MD 600N is the highest‑capacity option with a utility‑oriented range.
| Spec | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R66 | Schweizer RSG 300C | Schweizer RSG 300CBi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | — | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.06 | $ 1.80 | $ 3.49 | $ 2.30 | $ 1.68 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Scheizer RSG | Scheizer RSG |
| Aircraft Name | MD 600N | R22 Beta II | R66 | 300C | 300CBi |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 250 | 350 | 195 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.77 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2000 | 490 | 1355 | 950 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | — | 3 | — | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 545 | $ 173 | $ 384 | $ 217 | $ 158 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 134 | 96 | 110 | 94 | 94 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,400,000 | $ 312,000 | $ 920,000 | $ 350,000 | $ 360,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | — | 3 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | No | No |
| Model | 250-C47 | O-360 | RR300 | HIO-360-D1A | HIO-360-G1A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 1500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 715 | 131 | 300 | 190 | 180 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 41 | — | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 118 | 115 | 73.6 | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | — | 12 | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Carbureted | — | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 36.9 | 28.5 | 38.3 | 30.9 | 30.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.7 | 8.8 | 11.4 | 8.8 | 8.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 27.5 | 25.2 | 33 | 26.9 | 26.9 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 1.5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 50 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 18 | — | — |