Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b
The Bell 525 Relentless and Enstrom 480B are helicopters, while the Cessna Citation XLS+ and Dassault Falcon 8X are fixed‑wing business jets, so their range and cabin capability differ sharply. The Bell 525 is a modern “super‑medium” class helicopter aimed at offshore and corporate missions, typically carrying around a dozen or more passengers in a high‑density configuration, with a range on the order of roughly 500–600 nautical miles depending on fit and reserves. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine utility helicopter, usually configured for about four to five occupants, with a much shorter typical range in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class. Among the jets, the Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet commonly flown with about 7–9 passengers (up to roughly 12 depending on layout), with transcontinental U.S. capability around the 2,000‑nautical‑mile range class. The Falcon 8X is an ultra‑long‑range, large‑cabin jet typically seating about 12–16 passengers, designed for intercontinental missions with range around 6,000+ nautical miles, far exceeding the others.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 6450 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 14 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | $ 7.66 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.64 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | $ 3,805 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 14 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | 10.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Galley |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 29200 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 3900 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | PW307D |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | 6722 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 80.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | 42.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 26.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 140 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 1695 |