Aircraft overview

The MD Helicopters MD 900 / 902 Explorer is a twin engine, light to intermediate utility helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems and later supported by MD Helicopters. The MD 900 first flew in 1992, received certification in the mid 1990s, and the improved MD 902 followed with higher performance and system refinements. Its defining feature is the NOTAR anti-torque system, which replaces a conventional tail rotor with a fan and circulation control tailboom. This gives the Explorer a distinctive safety and noise profile, especially relevant for emergency medical services, police, offshore support, and urban utility work.

Performance & specifications

Typical cruise speed is about 130 to 135 knots, depending on weight, configuration, and mission equipment. Practical range is commonly planned in the 250 to 300 nautical mile class with reserves. The aircraft has a service ceiling published around 20,000 feet, although hot and high payload performance depends heavily on variant, engine fit, and gross weight approval. Early MD 900 aircraft use two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206E turboshaft engines, while many MD 902 aircraft use uprated PW207E series engines. Maximum gross weight and useful load vary by serial number and upgrade status, with many aircraft offering useful loads roughly in the mid 2,000 lb range before mission equipment.

Cabin & avionics

The Explorer cabin is one of its main buying considerations. It has a flat floor, wide side doors, and a layout suited to EMS stretcher installation, law enforcement consoles, or executive seating. Typical seating is one or two pilots plus up to six passengers, depending on interior and certification. Unlike newer clean sheet types, avionics vary widely across the fleet. Buyers may find original analog or mixed glass IFR panels, dual comm and nav equipment, radar altimeter, autopilot options, and later retrofits using Garmin GTN navigators or modern traffic, weather, and mission displays. Garmin Perspective and G1000 are not standard factory suites for this model.

Buying & value

Used MD Helicopters MD 900 / 902 Explorer aircraft are usually evaluated less by age alone and more by engine status, NOTAR system condition, transmission records, gross weight upgrade status, avionics modernization, and mission equipment history. EMS and public service aircraft may have high cycles but strong maintenance documentation. Common distinctions include early MD 900 models, upgraded MD 902 aircraft, PW207E powered examples, and airframes with increased gross weight approvals. In the used market, the Explorer sits as a specialized twin engine alternative for operators who value cabin access, tail rotor free ground safety, and urban noise characteristics, while accepting a smaller support ecosystem than some higher volume competitors.