AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24

The Airbus H225 and MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are helicopters, optimized for vertical lift and access to confined areas, while the Daher TBM 960 and Pilatus PC-24 are fixed‑wing airplanes aimed at speed and efficient point‑to‑point travel. In category terms, the H225 is a heavy twin‑engine utility helicopter often used for offshore and SAR missions, whereas the 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter suited to corporate, law enforcement, and EMS roles. The TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop business aircraft, and the PC‑24 is a twin‑engine light jet designed to combine jet speed with rough/short‑runway flexibility. For range, the PC‑24 and TBM 960 generally offer the longest legs (roughly around 1,400–2,000 nm depending on configuration and reserves), while the H225 typically sits in the mid range for helicopters (on the order of a few hundred nautical miles, extendable with auxiliary tanks), and the 902 is shorter still. Passenger capacity also diverges: H225 can carry a large cabin load (often around 16–19 passengers), PC‑24 typically 6–10, TBM 960 commonly 4–6 passengers (up to about 6–7 seats), and the 902 usually about 4–6.

SpecAIRBUS H225Daher TBM 960Pilatus PC-24
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 2.25$ 3.71
Min Crew211
Total Seats2166
Flight RulesIFRIFR—
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersDaher TBMPilatus
Aircraft NameH225TBM 960PC-24
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)45417302076
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.56$ 0.62
Max Cabin Seats28—10
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)1192929086680
Standard Cabin Seats1946
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 744$ 1,619
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISGarmin G3000Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex)
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142330440
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$4,450,000$11,800,000
Aircraft Type—Turbo Prop—
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats2166
Max Cabin Seats28—10
Standard Cabin Seats1946
Lavatory—No1 Enclosed Flushing
Galley Location—MIDFWD
Cabin Pressure (psi)—6.29.3
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)—1439023500
Crew Rest——No
Jump Seat——No
Cargo Door——Yes
Lavatory Location——FWD
Galley / Refreshment——Optional Refreshment Center
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelMakila 2A1TBM 960FJ44-4A-QPM
Fuel TypeJetFuel——
TBO (hrs)350035005000
Horsepower2100850—
No. of Engines2—2
Fuel Capacity (gal)684——
Flat Rating—ISA + 49ISA + 23
Thrust (lbs)——3435
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.435.352.2
Overall Height (ft)16.3—17.4
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.2——
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)547123—
Wingspan (ft)—42.155.8
Cabin Width (ft)—45.6
Cabin Height (ft)—4.15.1
Cabin Length (ft)—13.423
Aisle Step (ft)——Flat Floor
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)——3.8
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)——17
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)——90