Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 Er vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large, long-range helicopters aimed at offshore, government, and high-end utility missions, whereas the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a lighter twin designed more for urban/public-safety, corporate, and short-to-medium utility work. The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is the outlier as a fixed‑wing turboprop, optimized for efficient point-to-point travel rather than vertical lift. In range, the King Air 360ER typically leads, often exceeding roughly 1,500 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. Among the helicopters, the H225 and Bell 525 are broadly comparable long-range types, commonly in the several-hundred–nautical-mile class, with the 902 Explorer generally shorter-range. Passenger capacity follows size and mission: the H225 usually carries the most in transport layouts (often around the mid‑teens to high‑teens), the Bell 525 is similar but typically slightly lower depending on configuration, the King Air 360ER usually seats up to about 9 passengers in executive layouts, and the 902 Explorer is typically configured for about 6–8 passengers.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 |