Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, SAR, and VIP utility, while the Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane optimized for fast owner‑flown travel, and the Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet designed for versatile executive and utility missions, including operation from shorter or less‑prepared runways. In range terms, the H225 and Bell 525 are broadly comparable for helicopter missions, typically in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class depending on payload and reserves; the Bell 525 is often positioned with strong cruise speed and modern avionics, while the H225 is known for heavy‑lift capability and long overwater mission profiles. The TBM 960 generally offers longer point‑to‑point range than either helicopter, commonly around the 1,000+ nautical mile class. The PC‑24 typically provides jet range in the roughly 1,800–2,000 nautical mile class, depending on configuration. For passenger capacity, the H225 can be configured for high‑density seating (often around the high‑teens to low‑20s), the Bell 525 typically carries fewer (around the mid‑teens), the TBM 960 usually seats about 4–6 passengers plus pilot, and the PC‑24 commonly seats about 6–10 in executive layouts.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 2.25 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Daher TBM | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 1730 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.56 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 2908 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 744 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 330 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 14390 | 23500 |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | — | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 850 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 35.3 | 52.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | — | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 123 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 4 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 13.4 | 23 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 42.1 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 90 |