Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189
The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane, optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel over longer distances than the helicopters listed. It typically carries about four to six passengers (plus a pilot, depending on configuration) and offers roughly a 1,000–1,700 nautical mile class range, making it best suited to regional missions between airports. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine piston helicopter focused on short‑range utility and training roles. It generally seats up to five and typically operates in the ~200–300 nautical mile range class. The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine medium helicopters designed for offshore, SAR, and high‑payload utility work. Both commonly seat in the mid‑teens in passenger transport layouts (often around 16–19, depending on fit) and operate in the ~400–500+ nautical mile range class with reserves and optional tanks affecting totals. In general, the H225 trends slightly larger and more payload‑oriented, while the AW189 is in a similar mission set with competitive range and cabin capacity.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Daher TBM | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | TBM 960 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1730 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 744 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 850 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 35.3 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | — | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 123 | 395 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 13.4 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 |