Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters, while the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine fixed‑wing turboprop airplane, so it typically trades vertical‑lift flexibility for longer legs and higher cruise efficiency. In range terms, the Bell 525 is generally positioned for the longest missions among the two helicopters, with published figures commonly around the high‑500 nautical mile class depending on reserves and configuration, whereas the MD 902 is usually shorter‑legged, often roughly in the low‑300 nautical mile class. The Grand Caravan EX typically offers the greatest range of the three in many real‑world profiles, often around the 900–1,000+ nautical mile class depending on payload, winds, and reserves. For passenger capacity, the Bell 525 is aimed at the larger cabin end of civil helicopters, commonly configured around 16–20 seats; the MD 902 is smaller, typically around 7–8 passengers; and the Grand Caravan EX is widely used in commuter roles at about 9–14 passengers depending on interior and regulatory limits.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 |
| Flight Rules | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless |
| Certification | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 |
| Cabin | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 |
| Engine | |
| FADEC | Dual-Channel |
| Model | CT7-2F1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 |
| No. of Engines | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 |
| Dimensions | |
| Width (ft) | 25.77 |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 |