Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large, twin‑engine helicopters optimized for vertical lift missions; the H225 is a heavy-class transport typically configured for roughly 19 passengers and offers long offshore-style endurance, while the Bell 525 is a slightly smaller “super‑medium” aimed at similar roles with about 16 passengers and comparable long-range capability. The Daher TBM 960 and Piaggio Avanti EVO are fixed‑wing turboprops focused on fast point‑to‑point travel rather than hovering; the TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine business turboprop generally seating 4–6 passengers with a range around the mid‑1,000‑nautical‑mile class. The Avanti EVO is a twin‑engine turboprop business aircraft with a larger cabin, typically carrying about 7–9 passengers, and a similar or somewhat longer range in the mid‑to‑upper 1,000‑nautical‑mile class depending on configuration. Overall, the helicopters prioritize access to confined or remote sites, while the TBM and Avanti prioritize speed and efficiency between runways.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 2.25 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Daher TBM | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 1730 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.56 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | — | 7 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 2908 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 744 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 330 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 6 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | — | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 6.2 | 9 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 14390 | 24000 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | No |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 850 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 35.3 | 47.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | — | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 123 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 4 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 4.1 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 13.4 | 14.9 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 42.1 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 35.2 |