Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport and utility missions. Both typically carry around 16–19 passengers in high‑density layouts (or fewer with more space and baggage), and their practical mission range is generally in the 400–500+ nautical mile class depending on payload, reserves, and fit. The Daher TBM 960 and Piper M600 SLS are single‑engine turboprop airplanes optimized for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel. They are owner‑operated or small‑business aircraft rather than crewed transport. The TBM 960 is a high‑performance single, usually seating 4–6 passengers plus a pilot, with a typical range around 1,000+ nautical miles. The M600 SLS is slightly smaller and slower, generally carrying 4–5 passengers plus a pilot, with typical range around 1,000–1,400 nautical miles depending on power settings and reserves. Overall, the helicopters prioritize vertical access and cabin volume, while the turboprops prioritize speed and long range between runways.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Daher TBM | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | TBM 960 | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1730 | 651 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 2908 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 744 | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G3000 | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 330 | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — | 19 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | — | 5.6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | — | 12600 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 850 | 1983 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 35.3 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | — | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 123 | 395 | 165 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | — | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4 | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.1 | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 13.4 | — | 12.3 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 20 |