Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Sikorsky S 92
The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine piston helicopter, best suited to short‑range utility, training, and local transport. Its range is typically a few hundred miles depending on reserves and load, and passenger capacity is small, generally the pilot plus several passengers (about four). The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and corporate/VIP missions. It offers materially longer range than light pistons (often in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class) and a much larger cabin, commonly seating in the mid‑teens in high‑density layouts, or fewer in VIP/EMS configurations. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine business jet rather than a helicopter, optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel with longer range than the rotorcraft here, typically around the low‑thousands of miles. Passenger capacity is usually in the 6–10 seat class, depending on interior. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a heavy twin helicopter for offshore and high‑capacity transport. It generally carries more passengers than the AW189 in typical airline‑style seating and offers comparable or greater medium‑to‑long rotorcraft range, with strong payload and all‑weather capability.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Pilatus | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | PC-24 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 2076 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 440 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 6680 | 7417 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 6 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 10 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Optional Refreshment Center | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 23500 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | — | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 23 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3435 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | 52.2 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 17.4 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | — | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | — | 140 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 55.8 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5.6 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 23 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.8 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 17 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 90 | — |