Cessna Citation Xls vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel between airports, typically carrying about 7–9 passengers with a range around 2,000 nautical miles. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop (pressurized) aimed at efficient owner‑flown or small executive missions, usually seating about 4–6 passengers (up to roughly 6–8 depending on configuration) with a range commonly around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium twin‑engine helicopter built for offshore, SAR, and utility/transport roles; it commonly carries about 16–19 passengers with a range on the order of 450–500 nautical miles depending on fuel and payload. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter used for law enforcement, EMS, and corporate transport; it typically seats about 7–8 passengers with a range roughly 300–350 nautical miles. In short, the jets and turboprop offer far greater range and speed for airport‑to‑airport missions, while the helicopters trade range for vertical‑lift access and role flexibility.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Daher TBM | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | TBM 960 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 1730 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 744 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | IFR |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 6.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 14390 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 49 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 | 1983 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | JetFuel |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 35.3 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | 42.1 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | 13.4 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | — | 16.6 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — | 85 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | 395 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | — | 48 |