Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, SAR, and utility roles, while the Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane designed for fast personal and business travel. In range terms, the TBM 960 typically offers the longest cross‑country capability (roughly 1,400–1,700 nm depending on configuration and reserves), reflecting its efficient fixed‑wing cruise. The H225 and Bell 525 generally sit in a similar medium‑to‑long helicopter range class (often on the order of about 500–700 nm, mission‑dependent), with the exact figure varying substantially with payload, fuel, and offshore reserve requirements. For passenger capacity, the H225 is usually the highest, commonly configured around 16–19 passengers in offshore layouts (and can be arranged for more in high‑density seating). The Bell 525 is also a high‑capacity helicopter but typically a step below the H225 in many commercial layouts, often around 12–16 passengers. The TBM 960 carries far fewer people, typically a pilot plus up to about 6 passengers (around 6–7 seats total).
| 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 |