Daher Tbm 960 vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Daher TBM 960 and Piper M600 SLS are single‑engine turboprop airplanes aimed at fast, efficient personal and business travel, while the Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine piston helicopter focused on utility and training, and the Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a large twin‑engine commercial helicopter built for offshore, SAR, and high‑payload transport. In range, the TBM 960 typically leads this group among owner‑flown aircraft, offering roughly 1,400+ nautical miles depending on reserves and conditions; the M600 SLS is slightly shorter at about 1,000–1,200 nautical miles. The AW189’s range varies heavily by mission fit and reserves but is commonly in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class (often around 450–500 nm), prioritizing lift and hover capability over cross‑country speed. The Enstrom 480B has the shortest range, generally on the order of a few hundred nautical miles. For passenger capacity, the TBM 960 and M600 SLS typically seat 5–6 plus a pilot (with club/cabin layouts), the Enstrom 480B seats about 4, and the AW189 can carry far more, commonly around 16–19 passengers in transport configurations.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | AW189 | M600 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 651 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 | 5 |
| Galley Location | MID | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | — | 5.6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1983 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | — | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | — | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 395 | 165 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 |