Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Bell 525 Relentless is a modern super‑medium helicopter, optimized for vertical access and offshore/utility missions. Compared with the fixed‑wing aircraft here, its typical mission range is shorter, but it offers flexible point‑to‑point access without runways. Passenger capacity is generally in the mid‑teens depending on interior and mission configuration. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a rugged single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft. It trades speed and luxury for simplicity and versatility, with a moderate range and typically seating around 9–14 occupants depending on layout and regulations. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin tri‑jet business aircraft. It clearly leads this group in range, designed for intercontinental flights, and usually carries about 12–16 passengers in executive configurations, emphasizing comfort and high cruise speed. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a fast, efficient twin‑turboprop business aircraft. Its range is typically greater than the Caravan’s but below the Falcon 8X, and it usually seats around 6–9 passengers, balancing speed, efficiency, and a compact executive cabin.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Dassault Falcon | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | 8X | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 6450 | 1530 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 36900 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.66 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.64 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,805 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW307D | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 80.2 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 42.7 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 26.1 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | 35.2 |