Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters optimized for vertical lift missions; they trade speed and range for the ability to operate without runways. The H225 typically carries more people, often around 19 passengers in high‑density layouts, and commonly offers roughly 450–500 nautical miles of range depending on configuration. The AW189 is slightly smaller, usually configured for about 16–18 passengers, with a broadly similar range in the roughly 450–500 nautical mile class. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft aimed at short, rugged runways and simple logistics. It typically seats about 9–14 passengers and offers about 900–1,000 nautical miles of range, generally exceeding the helicopters for point‑to‑point distance if runway access is available. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, tri‑jet business jet focused on speed, comfort, and intercontinental missions. It typically carries about 12–16 passengers in executive layouts and has a range around 6,400 nautical miles, far surpassing the others but requiring suitable airports.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 8X | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 6450 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 36900 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 14 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 14 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | PW307D | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 80.2 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 26.1 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 1695 | 395 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.7 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 6.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 42.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 |