Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Leonardo Aw189
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft suited to short, rough-field operations, typically carrying about 9 passengers, with a practical range roughly in the 900–1,200 nautical mile class depending on load and reserves. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop business aircraft aimed at fast point‑to‑point travel, usually seating 4–6 in comfort (up to about 6–8 depending on configuration), with range around 1,400–1,700 nautical miles. The Embraer Legacy 650E is a large-cabin long‑range business jet designed for corporate/VIP missions, commonly accommodating 10–13 passengers (up to about 14), with range around 3,900–4,100 nautical miles. The Leonardo AW189 is a twin‑engine medium helicopter focused on offshore transport and SAR/utility roles, typically seating about 16–19 passengers, with range commonly around 450–500 nautical miles (higher with auxiliary tanks). Overall, the Legacy 650E leads on range and cabin size, the TBM 960 prioritizes speed and efficiency for smaller groups, the Caravan emphasizes versatility and payload access, and the AW189 offers vertical-lift flexibility with shorter range.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | AW189 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| 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 | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1983 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 395 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 |