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Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Robinson R66

The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, SAR, and VIP transport. The H225 typically carries more people, often configured around 16–19 passengers, and is optimized for heavy-lift missions with a practical range in the roughly 450–600 nm class depending on fit. The Bell 525 is a newer-generation super‑medium with a similar mission set, usually seated around 12–16 passengers, with a comparable long range (often cited around the 500+ nm class) and modern avionics and fly‑by‑wire. The Robinson R66 sits in a much lighter category: a single‑engine turbine helicopter typically carrying 4 passengers plus a pilot, with a shorter range commonly around 300+ nm, suited to utility, training, and personal transport rather than offshore lift. The Daher TBM 960 is different in kind: a single‑engine turboprop airplane, not a helicopter, optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel. It carries typically 4–6 occupants and offers substantially longer range (about 1,000+ nm) at much higher cruise speeds than any of the helicopters listed.

SpecAIRBUS H225Bell 525 RelentlessDaher TBM 960
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 2.25
Min Crew221
Total Seats21186
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellDaher TBM
Aircraft NameH225525 RelentlessTBM 960
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)4545801730
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.56
Max Cabin Seats2816
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)1192966752908
Standard Cabin Seats19164
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 744
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISGarmin G5000HGarmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142160330
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$15,000,000$4,450,000
Aircraft TypeTurbo Prop
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats21186
Max Cabin Seats2816
Standard Cabin Seats19164
LavatoryNo
Galley LocationMID
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.2
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)14390
Engine
FADECYesDual-ChannelYes
ModelMakila 2A1CT7-2F1TBM 960
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)350040003500
Horsepower21001800850
No. of Engines22
Fuel Capacity (gal)684641
Flat RatingISA + 49
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.461.5835.3
Overall Height (ft)16.318.18
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.254.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)547123
Width (ft)25.77
Cabin Width (ft)7.584
Cabin Height (ft)4.54.1
Cabin Length (ft)15.513.4
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128
Wingspan (ft)42.1