Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Enstrom 480b vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft aimed at short‑to‑medium regional work; it typically offers roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles of range (depending on payload and reserves) and seats about 9–14 passengers in commuter configuration. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop in the personal/corporate category; it generally trades passenger count for speed and efficiency, carrying about 4–6 passengers (plus pilot) with around 1,000–1,700 nautical miles of range depending on power setting and load. The Enstrom 480B is a single‑engine light turbine helicopter used for training, utility, and patrol; it typically seats about 4–5 and has a shorter mission radius, commonly on the order of ~300–450 nautical miles. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine light helicopter optimized for law enforcement/EMS/corporate missions; it usually carries about 6–8 occupants and offers a similar helicopter‑class range, often roughly ~300–400 nautical miles. Overall, the fixed‑wing turboprops deliver substantially more range (and, in the Caravan’s case, more seats), while the helicopters provide vertical‑lift flexibility at the cost of range and cruise efficiency.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop |
| Certification | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 |
| Cabin | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| Lavatory | No |
| Min Crew | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 |
| Galley Location | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 |
| Engine | |
| FADEC | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 850 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 |
| 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 |