AIR.ONE

Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

By category, the Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are twin‑engine civil helicopters, while the Cessna Citation XLS+ and Dassault Falcon 8X are business jets, with the Falcon 8X positioned as an ultra‑long‑range large‑cabin jet and the XLS+ as a midsize jet. On range, the helicopters are shortest: the MD 902 typically covers only a few hundred nautical miles (roughly 300–400 nm class), and the Bell 525 reaches farther for a helicopter, generally in the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles (around 500–600 nm depending on fit and reserves). The Citation XLS+ extends range into true cross‑country capability at roughly about 2,000–2,100 nm, suitable for many U.S. transcontinental or regional international legs. The Falcon 8X is in a different league, spanning roughly 6,400+ nm, enabling missions like New York–Dubai or Paris–Singapore with appropriate conditions. Passenger capacity follows a similar progression: the MD 902 is commonly configured around 6–7 passengers, the Bell 525 around 12–16, the Citation XLS+ typically 8–9, and the Falcon 8X commonly 12–16+ depending on layout.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessCessna Citation XLS+Dassault Falcon 8X
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew222
Total Seats181017
Flight RulesIFR
ManufacturerBellCessna CitationDassault Falcon
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessXLS+8X
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)58019066450
Max Cabin Seats16916
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)6675754036900
Standard Cabin Seats16814
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HRockwell Collins Pro Line 21Honeywell Primus EASy II
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160430516
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
Cockpit223
Min Crew222
Total Seats181017
Max Cabin Seats16916
Standard Cabin Seats16814
Lavatory1 Enclosed Belted Flushing2 Enclosed Flushing
Crew RestNoNo
Jump SeatNoYes
Galley LocationFWDFWD
Lavatory LocationAFTFWD / AFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)9.310.2
Galley / RefreshmentGalleyGalley
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)2523029200
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)3900
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1PW545CPW307D
Fuel TypeJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40005000On-Condition
Horsepower1800
No. of Engines223
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Flat RatingISA + 10ISA + 17
Thrust (lbs)41196722
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5852.580.2
Cabin Width (ft)7.585.57.7
Cabin Height (ft)4.55.76.2
Cabin Length (ft)15.518.542.7
Overall Height (ft)18.1817.226.1
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12880
Wingspan (ft)56.386.3
Aisle Step (ft)0.7
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)3.96.3
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)14.329.2
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)10140
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)1695