Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189
The Dassault Falcon 8X is the only fixed‑wing aircraft in this group and sits in the long‑range business‑jet category. It offers intercontinental range of roughly 6,450 nautical miles and typically carries about 8 to 14 passengers depending on cabin layout, trading vertical‑lift capability for far higher speed and range. The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are medium/“super‑medium” twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, SAR, and utility/VIP missions. The H225 is generally the larger, higher‑gross‑weight option with typical seating around 16 to 19 passengers and a range on the order of 450 to 500 nautical miles. The AW189 is slightly smaller, commonly arranged for about 16 to 18 passengers with a broadly similar practical range, often around 430 to 500 nautical miles depending on fuel and mission equipment. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine helicopter oriented to training, patrol, and utility work. It carries about 4 to 5 occupants and has a much shorter range, roughly 200 to 300 nautical miles.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 8X | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 6450 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 36900 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 14 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 14 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | PW307D | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 80.2 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 26.1 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 1695 | 395 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.7 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 6.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 42.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 |