Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large, long-range transport helicopters aimed at offshore energy, SAR, and executive shuttle missions. The H225 is the higher-capacity option, typically carrying around 19 passengers in a standard transport layout, with long-range capability on the order of roughly 450–500+ nautical miles depending on configuration. The Bell 525 is also a large-category helicopter, generally seating about 16–20 passengers, with a similar long-range envelope often cited around the 500+ nautical mile class, again varying with payload and reserves. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer sits a class below as a light twin designed for utility, EMS, and law enforcement. It commonly seats about 8–10 occupants including crew, with a shorter range typically in the ~250–350 nautical mile range. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is not a helicopter but a pressurized twin-turboprop airplane, positioned as a fast executive aircraft. It usually carries 7–9 passengers, but offers substantially longer range than the rotorcraft—often around ~1,400–1,800 nautical miles—making it better suited to longer point-to-point travel.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 47.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 14.9 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 35.2 |