Daher Tbm 960 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189
The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop in the high‑performance personal and owner‑pilot category. It is optimized for efficient point‑to‑point travel over regional to medium distances, with a typical range on the order of roughly 1,400–1,700 nautical miles depending on mission profile, and it generally carries about 4–6 passengers in addition to the pilot, prioritizing speed and economy over cabin volume. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin trijet business jet aimed at intercontinental missions. It offers substantially greater range—about 6,400 nautical miles class—enabling nonstop city pairs across oceans, and it typically seats 8–14 passengers in airline‑style comfort with multiple cabin zones, making it the clear choice for long stage lengths and premium cabin experience. The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium twin‑engine helicopter designed for offshore, SAR, and utility/VIP transport where vertical lift and access to remote sites matter more than cruise efficiency. Its range is much shorter than the jets—commonly a few hundred nautical miles (roughly 450–500 nm typical)—and it usually accommodates around 12–16 passengers depending on interior and mission equipment.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | 8X | AW189 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 6450 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 36900 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 | 19 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 | 21 |
| Galley Location | MID | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 10.2 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 29200 | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | PW307D | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 1983 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | JetFuel |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 80.2 | 57.8 |
| 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 | 395 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 26.1 | 16.6 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 |