Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bell 525 Relentless is a fly-by-wire, super‑medium helicopter aimed at offshore and executive transport. It typically carries around 16–19 passengers depending on layout, with a range on the order of roughly 550–600 nautical miles, trading speed and weather flexibility (VTOL access) for shorter legs than jets. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for rugged, short-field regional work. It commonly seats about 9–14 passengers, with range generally around 900–1,000 nautical miles, prioritizing simplicity, payload, and unimproved-strip capability over high cruise speed. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin business jet for intercontinental missions. It typically carries about 12–16 passengers in executive configurations, with a published range around 6,450 nautical miles, offering the greatest range and cruise performance of the group. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet designed for versatility and shorter runways. It usually seats about 6–10 passengers (higher-density options exist), with range roughly 2,000 nautical miles, sitting between the Caravan and Falcon for range while emphasizing access to smaller airports.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Dassault Falcon 8X | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Dassault Falcon | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | 8X | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 6450 | 2076 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 36900 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $11,800,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.66 | $ 3.71 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.64 | $ 0.62 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,805 | $ 1,619 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW307D | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 80.2 | 52.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 7.7 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 42.7 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 26.1 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |