Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66
The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet designed for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel between airports with runways, offering the greatest range of the three at roughly 2,100 nautical miles and typically seating about 7 to 9 passengers in a pressurized cabin. The Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and executive utility missions; it trades speed and range for vertical lift and access, with an approximate range around 450 to 500 nautical miles depending on configuration and usually accommodating about 12 to 16 passengers (or fewer in VIP layouts). The Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine helicopter oriented toward cost‑effective private, training, and light utility use; it has the shortest range of the three at about 300 to 350 nautical miles and generally carries 4 to 5 people including the pilot. Overall, the XLS+ maximizes distance and cruise speed, the AW189 maximizes lift capability and passenger volume with twin‑engine redundancy, and the R66 prioritizes simplicity and lower operating cost for short‑range missions.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 |