Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport and heavy utility roles. Both typically carry around 16–19 passengers in high‑density layouts and offer medium-range capability; real-world range varies strongly with payload, reserves, and cabin fit, but they are generally used for a few hundred nautical miles of mission radius rather than long cross-country flights. The H225 sits at the heavier end of the class, while the AW189 is slightly smaller but broadly comparable in category and capacity. The Enstrom 480B is a light, single‑engine helicopter suited to training, patrol, and short‑haul utility work. It typically carries 4–5 people and has a much shorter practical range than the H225 or AW189, optimized for local operations. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft, not a helicopter. It typically seats about 9–14 passengers depending on configuration and, compared with the helicopters listed, usually provides longer range and higher cruise efficiency for point‑to‑point travel, but it requires runways or suitable strips rather than vertical lift capability.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 |