Daher Tbm 960 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop airplane aimed at owner-operators and short business trips. It typically carries about 4–6 passengers (up to 6 in the cabin depending on configuration) and offers roughly 1,700–1,800 nautical miles of range, making it efficient for regional point‑to‑point travel. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin tri‑jet business aircraft designed for intercontinental missions. It commonly seats around 12–16 passengers (with higher-density layouts possible) and can fly about 6,400 nautical miles, prioritizing comfort, baggage volume, and nonstop global reach. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium twin‑engine helicopter used for offshore, SAR, and VIP/utility roles. Passenger seating is typically in the mid‑teens (often around 16–19 depending on interior), with range on the order of 450–500 nautical miles. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter suited to EMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttle. It usually carries about 6–8 passengers and has a shorter range, roughly 300–350 nautical miles.
| 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 |