Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bell 525 Relentless is a fly-by-wire super‑medium helicopter aimed at executive and offshore missions. It typically carries around 12–16 passengers depending on configuration, and its practical range is roughly in the 500–600 nautical mile class. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a lighter twin helicopter with a smaller cabin; it commonly seats about 8–10 passengers and offers a shorter range, generally around 300–400 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet designed for fast point‑to‑point travel. It normally seats about 8–9 passengers in executive layouts (up to around 12 in higher‑density arrangements) and has a range on the order of about 1,900–2,100 nautical miles. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet with a large cabin and rough/short‑field capability; it typically carries 6–8 passengers (up to about 10) and reaches roughly 1,800–2,000 nautical miles. Overall, the jets deliver far more range and speed, while the helicopters trade range for vertical access and localized flexibility.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 2076 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $11,800,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | $ 3.71 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.62 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | $ 1,619 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 52.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 90 |