Beechcraft King Air 360 Er vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Sikorsky S 92
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER and the Daher TBM 960 are pressurized turboprop airplanes, while the MD Helicopters 902 Explorer and Sikorsky S‑92 are twin‑engine helicopters aimed at vertical-lift missions. In category and typical use, the TBM 960 is a fast, single‑engine business/owner‑pilot aircraft optimized for point-to-point travel with one pilot and a small group, whereas the King Air 360ER is a larger twin‑turboprop commonly used for corporate shuttle, special missions, and short-field operations. On range, the TBM 960 and King Air 360ER generally offer the longest airplane-style legs, with the King Air 360ER emphasizing extended endurance and the TBM 960 emphasizing speed; both typically out-range the 902 Explorer. The 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter with a comparatively shorter range suited to patrol, EMS, and utility work. Passenger capacity differs sharply: TBM 960 typically carries about 4–6 passengers, King Air 360ER commonly seats roughly 6–9, the 902 Explorer is often configured around 6–8, and the much larger S‑92 is designed for higher loads, commonly about 16–19 passengers, with range generally greater than light helicopters but usually less than long-range turboprop airplanes.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | S-92 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.94 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Galley Location | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 2520 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| No. of Engines | — | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 775 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 17.8 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |