AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Daher TBM 960 is the only fixed‑wing aircraft in this group, so it differs most in role: it is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop for fast point‑to‑point travel, typically carrying about 4–6 passengers (plus a pilot) over roughly 1,500–1,700 nm, depending on load and reserves. The Airbus H225 is a heavy twin‑engine helicopter optimized for offshore transport, SAR, and utility missions; it offers the largest cabin and usually seats around 16–19 passengers (high‑density layouts can be higher) with a typical range on the order of 450–550 nm. The Leonardo AW189 is a slightly smaller “super‑medium” twin‑engine helicopter, commonly configured for about 16–19 passengers, with range broadly similar to the H225 but often a bit less in typical offshore fit, roughly 400–500+ nm. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) MD 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter aimed at EMS, law enforcement, and short‑haul utility; it usually carries about 5–7 passengers with a range around 300–400 nm.

SpecAIRBUS H225Daher TBM 960AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 2.25$ 15.57
Min Crew211
Total Seats21621
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersDaher TBMLeonardo
Aircraft NameH225TBM 960AW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)4541730651
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.56$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats28—19
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)119292908—
Standard Cabin Seats19419
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 744$ 2,413
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISGarmin G3000EFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142330155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$4,450,000$2,413,000
Aircraft Type—Turbo Prop—
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats21621
Max Cabin Seats28—19
Standard Cabin Seats19419
Lavatory—No—
Galley Location—MID—
Cabin Pressure (psi)—6.2—
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)—14390—
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelMakila 2A1TBM 960CT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuel—JetFuel
TBO (hrs)350035004000
Horsepower21008501983
No. of Engines2—2
Fuel Capacity (gal)684——
Flat Rating—ISA + 49—
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.435.357.8
Overall Height (ft)16.3—16.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.2—48
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)547123395
Wingspan (ft)—42.1—
Cabin Width (ft)—4—
Cabin Height (ft)—4.1—
Cabin Length (ft)—13.4—
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)——85