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Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Airbus H225 is a heavy, long-range twin‑engine helicopter optimized for offshore transport and SAR, typically carrying around 19 passengers (depending on seating and mission fit) with a practical range on the order of roughly 500–700 nautical miles. The Bell 525 Relentless is a modern super‑medium twin helicopter aimed at offshore and corporate/VIP roles, generally seating up to about 16–20, with a similar ballpark range (about 500–600+ nautical miles) depending on payload and reserves. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, three‑engine business jet rather than a helicopter; it’s built for intercontinental travel, commonly configured for about 12–16 passengers, and can fly roughly 6,000+ nautical miles—an order of magnitude more range than the rotorcraft. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter for EMS, law enforcement, and utility work; it typically carries about 6–8 passengers and has a shorter range, roughly 250–350 nautical miles. Overall, the Falcon 8X dominates range, the H225 and 525 lead helicopter capacity and offshore suitability, and the MD 902 trades capacity and range for agility and lower operating scale.

SpecAIRBUS H225Bell 525 RelentlessDassault Falcon 8X
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 7.66
Min Crew222
Total Seats211817
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellDassault Falcon
Aircraft NameH225525 Relentless8X
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)4545806450
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.64
Max Cabin Seats281616
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)11929667536900
Standard Cabin Seats191614
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 3,805
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISGarmin G5000HHoneywell Primus EASy II
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142160516
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$15,000,000$ 62,500,000
Cabin
Cockpit223
Min Crew222
Total Seats211817
Max Cabin Seats281616
Standard Cabin Seats191614
Lavatory2 Enclosed Flushing
Crew RestNo
Jump SeatYes
Galley LocationFWD
Lavatory LocationFWD / AFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)10.2
Galley / RefreshmentGalley
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)29200
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)3900
Engine
FADECYesDual-ChannelYes
ModelMakila 2A1CT7-2F1PW307D
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)35004000On-Condition
Horsepower21001800
No. of Engines223
Fuel Capacity (gal)684641
Flat RatingISA + 17
Thrust (lbs)6722
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.461.5880.2
Overall Height (ft)16.318.1826.1
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.254.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)5471695
Width (ft)25.77
Cabin Width (ft)7.587.7
Cabin Height (ft)4.56.2
Cabin Length (ft)15.542.7
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128
Wingspan (ft)86.3
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)6.3
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)29.2
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)140