Cessna Citation Xls vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet optimized for fast, comfortable point-to-point travel between larger airports. It typically carries about 7 to 9 passengers and offers a range on the order of roughly 1,600 to 2,100 nautical miles, depending on payload and conditions, making it well suited to medium-length regional and transcontinental segments. The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop that trades some jet speed for efficiency and access to shorter runways. It commonly seats about 4 to 6 passengers (up to around 6–7 including a pilot seat configuration) and delivers range generally around 1,400 to 1,700 nautical miles, often competitive with light jets on many missions while using less fuel. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine light helicopter focused on vertical access, low-speed maneuvering, and short-range utility (EMS, law enforcement, offshore, corporate shuttle). It typically accommodates about 6 to 8 passengers and has a much shorter range, commonly around 300 to 400 nautical miles.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | TBM 960 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $4,450,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 6.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 14390 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | TBM 960 |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 49 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — |
| Horsepower | — | 850 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 35.3 |
| 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 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 |