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Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Enstrom 480b

The Bell 525 Relentless and Enstrom 480B are helicopters, while the Cessna Citation XLS+ and Daher TBM 960 are fixed‑wing airplanes. In category terms, the Bell 525 is a large, fly‑by‑wire, super‑medium class rotorcraft aimed at offshore and corporate transport, whereas the Enstrom 480B is a much smaller light single‑engine piston helicopter suited to short-range utility and training. The Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet optimized for comfortable, faster point‑to‑point travel, and the TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop, typically operated as an owner‑flown business aircraft. For range, the Citation XLS+ and TBM 960 generally offer the longest legs among these four, with typical missions around the 1,000–1,800+ nautical mile class depending on reserves and conditions; the Bell 525 is shorter but still substantial for a helicopter, while the Enstrom 480B is the shortest-range option, best for local to regional hops. Passenger capacity also separates them: the Citation XLS+ and Bell 525 can be configured for roughly 8–12 passengers, the TBM 960 commonly carries about 4–6 passengers in executive comfort, and the Enstrom 480B typically seats around 4–5 including the pilot.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessCessna Citation XLS+Daher TBM 960
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats18106
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellCessna CitationDaher TBM
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessXLS+TBM 960
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)58019061730
Max Cabin Seats169
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)667575402908
Standard Cabin Seats1684
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HRockwell Collins Pro Line 21Garmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160430330
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$15,500,000$4,450,000
DOC / nm$ 5.34$ 2.25
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.67$ 0.56
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,303$ 744
Aircraft TypeTurbo Prop
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats18106
Max Cabin Seats169
Standard Cabin Seats1684
Lavatory1 Enclosed Belted FlushingNo
Crew RestNo
Jump SeatNo
Galley LocationFWDMID
Lavatory LocationAFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)9.36.2
Galley / RefreshmentGalley
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)2523014390
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1PW545CTBM 960
Fuel TypeJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400050003500
Horsepower1800850
No. of Engines22
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Flat RatingISA + 10ISA + 49
Thrust (lbs)4119
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5852.535.3
Cabin Width (ft)7.585.54
Cabin Height (ft)4.55.74.1
Cabin Length (ft)15.518.513.4
Overall Height (ft)18.1817.2
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12880
Wingspan (ft)56.342.1
Aisle Step (ft)0.7
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)3.9
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)14.3
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)10
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)123