Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are helicopters, optimized for vertical access and short-hop flexibility, while the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and Cessna Citation XLS+ are fixed‑wing aircraft aimed at point‑to‑point travel efficiency. In passenger capacity, the Grand Caravan EX typically carries the most in airline-style utility service (commonly up to about 9–14 depending on configuration and rules), the Citation XLS+ is usually arranged for roughly 8–9 passengers in a business cabin, the Bell 525 commonly seats around 12–16 in typical layouts, and the MD 902 generally carries about 7–8. For range, the Citation XLS+ leads by a wide margin with roughly ~2,000+ nautical miles class capability, making it best for longer nonstop business trips. The Grand Caravan EX sits mid-pack at roughly ~900–1,200 nautical miles depending on load and reserves, suited to regional and remote routes. The Bell 525 is typically around ~500–600 nautical miles class, and the MD 902 shorter still at roughly ~300–400 nautical miles class, reflecting helicopter endurance limits and mission profiles.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 |