Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Robinson R66
The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane aimed at fast point‑to‑point travel. It typically carries a pilot plus up to five passengers (about six seats total) and offers long range for its class, roughly on the order of 1,000+ nautical miles depending on load and reserves. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop airplane in a higher capacity and comfort bracket, generally seating six to nine occupants, and it also delivers long range, commonly around 1,000–1,500 nautical miles with mission‑dependent variation. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter optimized for utility, EMS, and law‑enforcement style missions; it usually carries one or two pilots plus several passengers (often up to about five or six total) and has a much shorter range than the turboprop airplanes, typically a few hundred nautical miles. The Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine turbine helicopter, commonly configured for a pilot plus up to four passengers, with range also in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class—generally comparable to, or somewhat below, the 902 depending on configuration and reserves.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | Avanti EVO |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Galley Location | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | PT6A–66B |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 850 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 28 |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 47.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 14.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 13.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 |