Daher Tbm 960 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls
The Daher TBM 960 and Piper M600 SLS are high-performance single‑engine turboprop airplanes best suited to owner‑pilots and small parties. Both typically carry about 4 to 6 passengers (up to 6 seats total depending on configuration) and offer ranges around the 1,000–1,700 nautical mile class, with the TBM 960 generally reaching farther and faster than the M600 SLS. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin trijet business jet aimed at intercontinental missions. It typically accommodates about 12 to 16 passengers in executive layouts (with higher maximums possible), and its range is roughly 6,000+ nautical miles, far exceeding the turboprops and enabling nonstop city pairs across oceans. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine light utility helicopter focused on short‑range, point‑to‑point access and vertical lift. It commonly carries 1–2 pilots plus about 4–6 passengers, with practical ranges generally a few hundred nautical miles, well below fixed‑wing aircraft but with superior access to confined or unimproved landing sites.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 7.66 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Dassault Falcon | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | 8X | M600 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 6450 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 36900 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 3,805 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 516 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 | 5 |
| Galley Location | MID | FWD | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 10.2 | 5.6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 29200 | 12600 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | TBM 960 | PW307D | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 80.2 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 86.3 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 7.7 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 6.2 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 42.7 | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 1695 | 165 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 26.1 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | 20 |