Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Enstrom 480b
The Airbus H225 and Enstrom 480B are helicopters, while the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and Daher TBM 960 are fixed‑wing turboprops, so their roles differ immediately. The H225 is a heavy, long‑range twin‑engine helicopter designed for offshore transport, SAR, and utility work; it typically carries a large group (often around the high‑teens to low‑20s depending on layout) and offers several hundred nautical miles of range, with endurance varying strongly by payload and reserves. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine helicopter aimed at training, patrol, and personal/utility missions; it generally seats 5 and has a comparatively short range, roughly a couple hundred nautical miles. Among the airplanes, the Cessna 208B is a rugged utility/commuter platform optimized for short, unimproved strips; it commonly seats up to 9 passengers (with one or two crew) and has a moderate range in the several-hundred‑nautical‑mile class. The TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop aimed at fast owner‑pilot and business travel; it typically seats 4–6 passengers and delivers the longest range of the group, often well over 1,000 nautical miles in typical cruise profiles.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | TBM 960 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $4,450,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | TBM 960 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 35.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 123 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 13.4 |