Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R66
The MD Helicopters MD 600N and the Robinson R66 are both light, single‑engine civil helicopters, but they target slightly different missions. The MD 600N is typically positioned as a light utility helicopter with a larger cabin and more emphasis on operational flexibility; it commonly seats a pilot plus up to five passengers, making it well suited to short‑haul utility, patrol, and light transport roles. The Robinson R66 is also a light single‑engine turbine helicopter, often chosen for personal, training, and light commercial use; it generally carries a pilot plus up to four passengers, trading some cabin volume for simplicity and operating economy. In range, both are designed for regional missions rather than long‑distance transport. Typical usable range for either aircraft is on the order of a few hundred nautical miles depending on fuel configuration, payload, and cruise settings. In practice, the R66 often delivers solid point‑to‑point capability for its class, while the 600N’s advantage is more about cabin capacity and utility than dramatically longer reach.
| Spec | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.06 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | MD 600N | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.70 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2000 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 545 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 134 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,400,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | No | No |
| Model | 250-C47 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 715 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 41 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 118 | 73.6 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 36.9 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.7 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 27.5 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 18 |