Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are helicopters, while the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and Daher TBM 960 are fixed‑wing turboprops. In range, the TBM 960 typically leads among these four, designed for fast, long cross‑country trips and commonly reaching roughly 1,500+ nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Grand Caravan EX is a utility aircraft with solid but shorter legs, often around the 900–1,200 nautical mile class. The H225 is a long‑range medium‑heavy helicopter, frequently around the 450–550 nautical mile class, while the 902 Explorer is generally shorter‑range, often roughly 300–400 nautical miles. In passenger capacity, the H225 is the largest, commonly configured around 16–19 passengers (and can be arranged for more in high‑density layouts). The Grand Caravan EX typically seats 9–14, often around 9–12 in commuter configurations. The 902 Explorer usually carries about 7–8 passengers. The TBM 960 is the smallest by seats, typically 4–6 passengers plus a pilot, prioritizing speed and comfort over volume.
| 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 |