Daher Tbm 960 vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66
The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop airplane (fixed‑wing), optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel. It typically carries about 4 to 6 passengers plus a pilot depending on configuration, and offers long range for its class, roughly on the order of 1,000+ nautical miles, making it best suited to longer cross‑country missions between airports. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine turbine helicopter focused on utility and training roles. It generally seats a pilot plus up to 4 passengers (about 5 total) and has a comparatively modest range, typically a few hundred nautical miles, reflecting helicopter cruise efficiency and fuel capacity. The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a much larger twin‑engine medium helicopter designed for offshore, SAR, and corporate transport. It can carry substantially more people, commonly in the mid‑teens (around 16 to 19 seats depending on layout), with range typically several hundred nautical miles, optimized for payload and all‑weather capability rather than maximum distance. The Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine turbine helicopter seating a pilot plus 4 passengers (5 total), with range also generally in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, aimed at cost‑effective private and utility missions.
| 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 |