When people think of business-class charter air vehicles, they usually think of large private jets with cushy seating and lavish amenities. However, helicopters are getting ever-more popular for private travel and some claim that helicopter travel over short distance is far more efficient. and the MD 902 is the perfect example of a large charter helicopter doing the job of a business jet and doing it well.

The MD 902 is the crown jewel of MD Helicopters’ fleet. MD began in 1947 and started introducing helicopters to the aviation market in the 1950s. In 1984, the Summa Corporation sold their stock in the company to McDonnell Douglas, who quickly took MD in a new direction after forking out over $500 million for it.

In the early 1990s, production of the MD Helicopters began, with only two basic models (though there are a few variations within the set models) to date – the MD 900, and the vastly improved MD 902.

The MD helicopter class is known as the Explorer, and improvements started to be made in 1992 in order to produce the 902 that’s still flying in the air today relatively unchanged after 18 years. A high maximum take-off weight was introduced, along with increased range and endurance among other improvements.

The MD 902 is considered to be the perfect transport vehicle for corporate business charter due to its large size. It’s officially the largest helicopter in the light twin-engine class, and its greater fuel capacity means that the MD 902 can easily fly longer distances than every other twin-engine in operation today.

Clients charter this chopper for two primary reasons: long distance travel and short, scenic trips. The MD 902 is a great machine for both, since it’s designed for a smoother flight without turbulence causing disruption, and it’s also able to easily glide and/or hover due to enhanced stability features. The MD 902 has a range of 485 nautical miles and can travel at 180 MPH.

The large helicopter can carry up to 8 passengers comfortably in its cabin, not including the crew. The 52-inch-high doors aren’t exactly ideal for taller passengers, but there’s plenty of room in the cabin, with nearly 6 feet of standing space. There’s even an improved cargo pit that can carry in excess of 3,000 pounds of external load.

As previously stated, there are many variations of the MD 902 Explorer, including: basic passenger transportation, law enforcement/weather surveillance, emergency medical transportation, and the VIP charter business-class service.

To look at it from the outside, the MD 902 appears to be just another helicopter. However, the interior of the business-class Explorer is set up much more like a private jet, with plush reclining seating, entertainment options, and its cabin is specifically designed to reduce the noise.