Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters, while the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet and the Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop airplane. In category terms, the H225 is a heavy/long‑range utility or offshore transport helicopter, designed to lift more people and payload than the 902, which is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter often used for corporate, public safety, or utility missions. For range, the fixed‑wing aircraft generally lead: the Citation XLS+ typically offers roughly 1,700–2,100 nautical miles depending on reserves and conditions, and the TBM 960 is commonly around 1,400–1,700 nautical miles. Helicopter ranges are usually shorter; the H225 is often around 450–650 nautical miles depending on configuration, and the 902 Explorer roughly 300–400 nautical miles. For passenger capacity, the H225 is the largest, commonly configured for about 16–19 passengers. The 902 typically carries about 6–8 passengers. The Citation XLS+ generally seats 7–9 in typical business layouts, while the TBM 960 usually carries 4–6 passengers plus a pilot.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 5.34 | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Cessna Citation | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | XLS+ | TBM 960 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1906 | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 7540 | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,303 | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 430 | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,500,000 | $4,450,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 9 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | MID |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | 6.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 14390 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | PW545C | TBM 960 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5000 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | ISA + 49 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 52.5 | 35.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 17.2 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 123 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 42.1 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5.5 | 4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.7 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 18.5 | 13.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 80 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | — |