Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and the Agusta/Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport and search-and-rescue. Both carry roughly 16 to 19 passengers in typical configurations. Their operational ranges are broadly similar for the class, generally in the mid‑400 to 500+ nautical mile region depending on payload and tanks, with the H225 often configured for slightly longer offshore legs. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter used for corporate, law-enforcement, and utility work. It carries about 7 to 8 passengers and has a shorter range, typically around 300 to 400 nautical miles. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine fixed‑wing turboprop, commonly used for regional passenger, cargo, and remote operations. It typically seats about 9 to 14 passengers (often 9 in commuter service) and generally offers the longest range of this group, commonly around 900 to 1,000+ nautical miles, with higher cruise efficiency than the helicopters.
| 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 |