Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Dassault Falcon 8x
The Bell 525 Relentless is a modern, fly-by-wire helicopter suited to vertical-lift missions rather than point-to-point jet travel; it typically carries about 16 passengers and offers a practical range on the order of roughly 500–600 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, rugged routes; it commonly seats 9–14 passengers and has a range around 900–1,000 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a super‑midsize business jet aimed at fast regional trips; it usually accommodates 8–9 passengers (up to about 12 in some layouts) and flies roughly 2,000 nautical miles. The Dassault Falcon 8X is an ultra‑long‑range large‑cabin business jet designed for intercontinental missions; it typically seats 12–16 passengers and can reach about 6,450 nautical miles. Overall, capability steps up from rotorcraft and utility turboprop to midsize jet efficiency, with the Falcon 8X dominating range and cabin.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 6450 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 14 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | $ 7.66 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.64 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | $ 3,805 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 14 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | 10.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Galley |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 29200 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 3900 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | PW307D |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | 6722 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 80.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | 42.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 26.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 140 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 1695 |