Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing airplane optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel. It typically carries a pilot plus up to about five or six passengers (depending on seating configuration) and offers the longest range of the three, generally on the order of roughly 1,000+ nautical miles, making it best suited to longer regional trips between airports. The Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter aimed at utility and offshore/passenger transport. It carries more people than the TBM 960 in typical layouts, commonly around 16–19 passengers, but its range is shorter than the TBM’s and is usually in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, reflecting helicopter efficiency and mission profiles. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter designed for law enforcement, EMS, and corporate/utility roles. It generally seats fewer than the AW189 (often around 6–8 passengers in typical configurations) and has the shortest range of the three, also typically in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile range, with strengths in maneuverability and vertical access rather than long-distance cruise.