Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Schweizer Rsg 300c vs Schweizer Rsg 300cbi
The MD Helicopters MD 600N and Robinson R66 sit in the light-turbine utility class, while the Schweizer RSG 300C and 300CBi are piston-powered light helicopters typically used for training and observation. In passenger capacity, the MD 600N generally carries the most, commonly configured for a pilot plus up to five passengers, whereas the R66 is usually a five-seat aircraft (pilot plus four). The Schweizer 300C and 300CBi are much smaller, normally set up for two occupants (instructor and student) with a third seat sometimes available depending on configuration and weight limits, so their practical passenger load is typically lower than the turbine models. On range, the turbine helicopters tend to offer longer cross-country capability: the R66 is often cited around the mid-300 nautical mile class, and the MD 600N is commonly in a similar several-hundred–nautical-mile bracket depending on fuel and mission profile. The Schweizer 300C and 300CBi usually have shorter ranges more suited to local flying, often on the order of a couple hundred nautical miles or less, again depending heavily on configuration and reserves.
| Spec | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R66 | Schweizer RSG 300C | Schweizer RSG 300CBi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.06 | $ 3.49 | $ 2.30 | $ 1.68 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Scheizer RSG | Scheizer RSG |
| Aircraft Name | MD 600N | R66 | 300C | 300CBi |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 350 | 195 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.77 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2000 | 1355 | 950 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | — | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 545 | $ 384 | $ 217 | $ 158 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 134 | 110 | 94 | 94 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,400,000 | $ 920,000 | $ 350,000 | $ 360,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | — | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | No |
| Model | 250-C47 | RR300 | HIO-360-D1A | HIO-360-G1A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 | 1500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 715 | 300 | 190 | 180 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 41 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 118 | 73.6 | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | 12 | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 36.9 | 38.3 | 30.9 | 30.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.7 | 11.4 | 8.8 | 8.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 27.5 | 33 | 26.9 | 26.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 50 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 18 | — | — |