Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane optimized for fast personal and business travel; it typically carries 4–6 passengers plus a pilot and offers roughly 1,500–1,700 nm of range depending on payload and reserves. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine light business jet in a higher category, usually seating 6–8 passengers, with a typical range around 2,000 nm; it prioritizes speed and flexibility (including operation from shorter or unimproved runways) over maximum seats. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑mid/medium twin‑engine helicopter built for offshore, SAR, and utility roles; it commonly carries about 12–16 passengers in transport layouts and has an approximate range on the order of 450–500 nm (mission and tank fit dependent). The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter suited to EMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttle work; it generally seats about 5–7 passengers and has a typical range around 300–400 nm. Overall, the PC‑24 leads on range among these, the AW189 leads on passenger lift, and the TBM 960 offers efficient airplane range with lower operating complexity than a jet.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 651 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 155 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 | 10 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Galley Location | MID | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | — | 9.3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 | 10 |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1983 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — | ISA + 23 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 | 2 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | — | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | — | 23 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 395 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 90 |