Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Bell 525 Relentless is a twin‑engine rotorcraft (helicopter) aimed at point‑to‑point access where runways aren’t available. Its practical mission profile is typically a few hundred nautical miles, and it generally carries around 10–16 occupants depending on configuration, trading speed and range for vertical takeoff, offshore utility, and direct city/rig access. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light/midsize business jet designed for efficient runway-to-runway travel at higher cruise speeds and longer stage lengths than a helicopter. Typical range is roughly 2,000 nautical miles, with seating commonly around 8–9 passengers (up to about 12 with certain layouts), emphasizing comfortable business travel and strong short‑field performance for a jet. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑engine turboprop business aircraft that sits between the other two in character: faster than most turboprops and often comparable to light jets on many trips, with a typical range around 1,600–1,800 nautical miles. It usually seats about 7–9 passengers, prioritizing cabin comfort and efficiency while still requiring runways.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 1530 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 47.1 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 35.2 |