Daher Tbm 960 vs Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66
The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop airplane best suited to owner-operators seeking fast point‑to‑point travel with roughly 4–6 passengers in practical comfort and a range on the order of about 1,500–1,700 nautical miles. The Embraer Legacy 650E is a large‑cabin business jet in a different class, typically carrying about 10–14 passengers with substantially longer reach, roughly 3,500–3,900 nautical miles, making it the clear choice for long, nonstop missions and group travel. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium, twin‑engine helicopter oriented toward offshore, SAR, and utility/VIP roles; it can carry a much larger cabin load (commonly up to the mid‑teens depending on configuration) but has a shorter range than the fixed‑wing aircraft, typically in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class. The Robinson R66 is a light, single‑engine helicopter aimed at cost‑effective local and regional flying, usually seating 4–5 passengers with a range also in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile range, well below the AW189’s typical 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 |