Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft typically used for short to medium regional missions. It offers moderate range (roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves) and usually seats about 9 passengers in commuter configuration, with strong flexibility for cargo and rough or shorter strips. The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop business aircraft optimized for speed and efficient point‑to‑point travel. It generally provides a similar or somewhat longer range than a Caravan (about 1,300–1,700 nautical miles, mission‑dependent) but with a smaller passenger load, commonly 4–6 passengers in a premium cabin (up to about 6–8 seats depending on layout), focusing on fast owner‑operator or executive travel. The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a twin‑engine medium helicopter designed for offshore, SAR, and high‑end utility transport. Its range is typically shorter than the fixed‑wing turboprops (often around 450–800 nautical miles, configuration‑dependent), but it carries more people than the TBM and often more than the Caravan, commonly around 12–16 passengers, with the key advantage of vertical takeoff/landing and access to helipads and remote sites.
| 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 |