Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are helicopters, while the Daher TBM 960 and Piaggio Avanti EVO are fixed‑wing turboprops. In category terms, the H225 is a heavy twin‑engine helicopter typically used for offshore, search and rescue, and utility lift, whereas the 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter optimized for corporate, law enforcement, and EMS-style missions. The TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop airplane aimed at fast owner-operator and business travel, and the Avanti EVO is a twin‑engine turboprop airplane positioned as a roomy, efficient business aircraft. For range, the fixed‑wing turboprops generally go much farther: the TBM 960 and Avanti EVO are commonly in the roughly 1,400–1,700 nautical mile class depending on configuration and reserves, while the H225 and 902 Explorer are typically in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, with the H225 usually offering more range than the 902. For passenger capacity, the H225 carries the most (often well over a dozen in transport layouts), the 902 is usually around 7–9, and both the TBM 960 and Avanti EVO typically seat about 6–9 in executive configurations.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Daher TBM 960 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 2.25 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Daher TBM | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | TBM 960 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1730 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.56 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — | 7 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 2908 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 744 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 330 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $4,450,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | — | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 4 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | 9 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | 24000 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | TBM 960 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 850 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 35.3 | 47.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | — | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 123 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.1 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 13.4 | 14.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 35.2 |