Daher Tbm 960 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b
The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop in the owner‑pilot/business utility category. It typically carries about 4 to 6 passengers (up to six seats in the cabin) and offers long-range capability for its class, roughly around 1,700 nautical miles depending on power settings, payload, and reserves. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a large, long‑range tri‑jet business aircraft designed for intercontinental travel. It generally seats 12 to 16 passengers in typical executive layouts (with higher-density options possible) and is built for very long legs, on the order of about 6,450 nautical miles, making it suited to nonstop missions such as transoceanic routes. The Enstrom 480B is a light turbine helicopter focused on utility, training, and short-range transport. It usually accommodates 4 to 5 people including the pilot, and its range is much shorter than the fixed‑wing aircraft, commonly a few hundred nautical miles (often roughly 300+ nm), reflecting helicopter speed and fuel limits. Overall, the 8X dominates in range and cabin capacity, the TBM 960 balances speed and efficiency for smaller groups, and the 480B prioritizes vertical access over distance.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 7.66 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | 8X |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 6450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.64 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 3,805 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 |
| Lavatory | No | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 |
| Galley Location | MID | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 10.2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 29200 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | PW307D |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 |
| No. of Engines | — | 3 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 80.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 86.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 42.7 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 1695 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 26.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |