Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Bell 525 Relentless is a fly-by-wire, twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore/VIP missions; it offers roughly a 500–600 nm class range and typically carries about 12–16 passengers depending on layout. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a rugged single‑engine utility turboprop optimized for short/rough strips; it trades speed for payload flexibility, with about a 900–1,000 nm class range and seating commonly up to 9 passengers (with higher-density commuter configurations possible). The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop in the personal/business category; it prioritizes speed and efficiency with roughly a 1,400–1,700 nm class range and typically 4–6 passengers in executive seating. The Piper M600 SLS is also a personal/business single‑engine turboprop, generally slower and shorter‑ranged than the TBM but still fast; expect about a 1,000–1,500 nm class range and typically 4–6 passengers. Overall, the 525 leads for rotorcraft mission flexibility, the Caravan for utility and cabin volume, and the TBM 960 for fast, long‑range owner-flown travel.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Daher TBM | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1730 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 2908 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 330 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.25 | $ 2.19 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.56 | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 744 | $ 603 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | MID | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | 5.6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | 12600 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 35.3 | 29.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 4 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 13.4 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | — | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 |