Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Gulfstream G700 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters, best suited to point‑to‑point access where runways aren’t available. The Bell 525 is a newer, larger category with longer legs for a helicopter, typically offering roughly 500–600 nautical miles of range and seating commonly around 12–16 depending on layout. The MD 902 is a lighter utility helicopter with shorter reach, typically about 300–400 nautical miles, and usually carries about 5–7 passengers. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet designed for fast regional missions between airports, generally offering about 1,800–2,100 nautical miles of range and typically seating 8–9 passengers (often up to 12 in high‑density configurations). The Gulfstream G700 is an ultra‑long‑range large‑cabin business jet, optimized for intercontinental travel, with roughly 7,000–7,500 nautical miles of range and a typical passenger load around 13–16 (with higher maximum configurations possible). Overall, helicopters trade speed and range for vertical access, while the jets deliver far greater range and cruise efficiency.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Gulfstream G700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 16 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | G700 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 7500 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $78,000,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 16 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 12 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | Optional |
| Jump Seat | — | No | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | — |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | Pearl 700 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | On Condition |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | 18250 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 109.9 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | 8.2 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.25 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | 56.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 25.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 103 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 195 |