Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, SAR, and utility missions. Both typically carry around 16–19 passengers in airline-style seating, with ranges commonly in the roughly 500–650 nautical mile class depending on payload and reserves; the H225 is proven in heavy offshore work, while the 525 targets similar roles with newer systems and competitive speed/range. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility airplane in a different category: short‑haul cargo/passenger service into remote strips. It commonly seats about 9–14 passengers (often 9 in commuter configurations) and offers moderate range, roughly 800–1,000 nautical miles depending on load and tanks. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop business aircraft focused on speed and efficiency rather than volume. It typically carries 4–6 passengers in executive comfort (up to about 6–8 seats installed) and delivers the longest range of this group, around 1,400+ nautical miles, making it best for fast point‑to‑point travel.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 6.2 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 14390 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 49 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 35.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 123 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 13.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 42.1 |