Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters suited to offshore, SAR, and utility work; both prioritize vertical lift and all‑weather operations over speed and range. Typical ranges are roughly in the 450–550 nm class depending on tanks and payload, and they commonly carry about 16–19 passengers in high‑density transport layouts (with flexible seating for fewer in executive/SAR fits). The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing utility aircraft optimized for short, rough strips and simple logistics. It generally offers longer point‑to‑point range than the helicopters, often around 900–1,000+ nm with reserves depending on load, and typically seats up to about 9–14 passengers depending on configuration and regulations. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop personal/business aircraft emphasizing speed and efficiency rather than lift capability. It usually carries 4–6 passengers (plus pilot) and offers range commonly around 600–700 nm, trading cabin volume for higher cruise performance and lower operating footprint than the Caravan.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 651 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1983 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 395 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 12.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 |