Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters designed for demanding offshore and SAR-style missions, offering broadly comparable long legs and cabin space. The H225 is generally the bigger-lift option, typically configured for roughly 16–19 passengers and capable of about 450–500 nautical miles depending on reserves and fit. The AW189 is a slightly smaller but still heavy-class twin, commonly around 16–18 passengers with a similar order-of-magnitude range, often cited around 400–500 nautical miles in typical transport configurations. The Enstrom 480B is a light, single‑engine helicopter aimed at utility, training, and patrol roles. It carries a small group, typically 4–5 occupants including the pilot, and its range is much shorter than the offshore twins, roughly on the order of 250–350 nautical miles. The Piper M600 SLS is not a helicopter but a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing airplane. It trades vertical capability for speed and point‑to‑point efficiency, seating up to 6 and offering a longer cruise range than the Enstrom and often competitive with—or better than—many helicopter profiles, roughly around 600–700 nautical miles.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 651 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1983 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 395 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 12.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 |