Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are medium twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, search and rescue, and utility missions, while the Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop airplane designed for fast personal and business travel. In range, the TBM 960 typically offers the longest point‑to‑point capability, often around 1,000–1,700 nautical miles depending on payload, reserves, and speed settings, making it best for longer nonstop trips between airports. The H225 and AW189 generally provide shorter ranges typical of medium helicopters, commonly in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class with mission equipment and reserves, with the H225 often configured for longer offshore legs than many peers. In passenger capacity, the helicopters carry more people: the H225 is commonly configured for roughly 16–19 passengers, and the AW189 typically around 16–18, depending on layout and mission kit. The TBM 960 is far smaller, usually seating 4–6 passengers plus a pilot (or up to about 6 total seats in many interiors).
| 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 |