Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are twin‑engine helicopters optimized for vertical lift missions, while the Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine fixed‑wing light jet built for runway operations, including short and unimproved strips. In range terms, the PC‑24 generally offers the longest reach, typically around 2,000 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves, making it best suited to longer point‑to‑point travel between airports. The H225 and AW189 have shorter ranges by comparison, commonly in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class (roughly 450–500 nm in typical configurations), though exact figures vary widely with fuel fit, payload, and mission profile; they trade raw range for direct access to offshore platforms, remote sites, and rooftop or confined helipads. For passenger capacity, the H225 is usually the largest, often configured around 16–19 passengers in offshore transport layouts. The AW189 is slightly smaller, commonly around 12–16 passengers. The PC‑24 typically seats about 6–10 passengers in executive layouts, with higher-density seating possible but less common.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 651 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 23500 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1983 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | 395 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 23 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 90 |