Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bell 525 Relentless is a twin‑engine helicopter suited to vertical-lift missions rather than runway travel. It typically carries about 12–16 passengers in an offshore/utility layout and offers roughly 500–600 nautical miles of range depending on reserves and fit. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, unimproved strips and cargo/passenger flexibility. It commonly seats up to 9 passengers (typical commuter) and has a range around 900–1,000 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a super‑light/light business jet focused on fast, comfortable point‑to‑point travel from paved runways. It generally seats 7–9 passengers and flies about 1,800–2,100 nautical miles. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet designed for “rough‑field” capability compared with most jets, combining speed with access to shorter or less‑prepared runways. It typically carries 6–10 passengers and offers about 1,900–2,200 nautical miles of range. Overall, the 525 prioritizes vertical access, the Caravan prioritizes utility and low operating complexity, and the XLS+ and PC‑24 prioritize jet speed and cabin comfort, with the PC‑24 offering broader runway flexibility.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 2076 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $11,800,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | $ 3.71 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.62 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | $ 1,619 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 52.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 90 |