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Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are rotorcraft, typically chosen for point-to-point access, offshore or medical roles, and operations into confined areas. In category terms, the 525 is a larger, more modern super‑medium class helicopter, while the 902 is a lighter twin-engine utility helicopter. Their ranges are generally in the few-hundred–nautical-mile class, with the 525 usually offering the longer reach. Passenger capacity also differs: the 525 commonly seats around 16–20 depending on layout, whereas the 902 is typically configured for about 8–10. The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane optimized for fast, efficient owner-operator travel. It generally offers longer range than either helicopter—roughly around 1,000+ nautical miles—while carrying fewer people, typically 4–6 passengers (up to about 6 plus a pilot, depending on configuration). The Embraer Legacy 650E is a large-cabin business jet designed for longer missions and higher comfort. It offers the longest range of the four—roughly 3,500+ nautical miles—and the highest typical passenger loads in executive layouts, commonly around 13–14 (with higher maximums possible).

SpecBell 525 RelentlessDaher TBM 960
Summary
Cockpit22
Min Crew21
Total Seats186
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellDaher TBM
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessTBM 960
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5801730
Max Cabin Seats16—
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)66752908
Standard Cabin Seats164
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HGarmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160330
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$4,450,000
DOC / nm—$ 2.25
Aircraft Type—Turbo Prop
DOC / nm / Seat—$ 0.56
Direct Operating Cost—$ 744
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew21
Total Seats186
Max Cabin Seats16—
Standard Cabin Seats164
Lavatory—No
Galley Location—MID
Cabin Pressure (psi)—6.2
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)—14390
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYes
ModelCT7-2F1TBM 960
Fuel TypeJetFuel—
TBO (hrs)40003500
Horsepower1800850
No. of Engines2—
Fuel Capacity (gal)641—
Flat Rating—ISA + 49
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77—
Length (ft)61.5835.3
Cabin Width (ft)7.584
Cabin Height (ft)4.54.1
Cabin Length (ft)15.513.4
Overall Height (ft)18.18—
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.5—
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128—
Wingspan (ft)—42.1
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—123