Daher Tbm 960 vs Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane optimized for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel. It typically carries about 4–6 passengers in addition to the pilot and offers roughly 1,500–1,700 nm of range, depending on payload and conditions. The Embraer Legacy 650E is a large‑cabin business jet in a higher category, designed for long‑haul missions; it commonly seats 10–13 passengers (with higher maximum configurations) and can fly about 3,900–4,000 nm, making it the clear leader in range and cabin capacity among these four. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and utility roles. It usually carries around 12–16 passengers and has a practical range on the order of 400–500 nm (variable with reserves and mission equipment). The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter suited to EMS, law enforcement, and short‑haul utility work; it typically carries about 5–7 passengers and has a range around 300–400 nm. Overall, the fixed‑wing aircraft dominate range and cruise efficiency, while the helicopters trade range for vertical access and hover capability.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | AW189 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 |
| Galley Location | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1983 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 395 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 |