Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Sikorsky S 92
The Daher TBM 960 and Piaggio Avanti EVO are pressurized fixed‑wing turboprop airplanes aimed at fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel, while the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer and Sikorsky S‑92 are twin‑engine helicopters optimized for vertical access and missions where runways are unavailable. In range, the Avanti EVO is generally the longest‑leg option at roughly 1,700–1,800 nautical miles, the TBM 960 is close behind at about 1,400–1,700 nautical miles depending on reserves and cruise profile, the MD 902 typically offers around 300–400 nautical miles, and the S‑92 commonly falls in the ~500–600 nautical mile class, varying by cabin fit and fuel planning. For passenger capacity, the TBM 960 is usually flown with 1–5 passengers (up to about 6 seats plus pilot depending on configuration), the Avanti EVO typically carries 6–7 passengers, the MD 902 is commonly arranged for about 6–7 passengers, and the larger S‑92 is in a different class, often configured for roughly 12–19 passengers depending on role (offshore, VIP, or utility).
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | — | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Piaggio | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | Avanti EVO | S-92 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1530 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | — | $ 0.94 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 3775 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | — | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 400 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 | 19 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 21 |
| Galley Location | MID | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 9 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 24000 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 | 19 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | PT6A–66B | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3600 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 850 | 2520 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 28 | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | — | JetFuel |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 760 |
| 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 | — | 775 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 13.1 | 17.8 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 140 |