Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are helicopters, while the Daher TBM 960 and Piaggio Avanti EVO are pressurized fixed‑wing turboprops. In category terms, the Bell 525 is a large, long‑range corporate/offshore transport helicopter, whereas the MD 902 is a lighter twin‑engine utility/corporate helicopter often used for EMS, law enforcement, and short business hops. For range, the fixed‑wing turboprops generally lead: the TBM 960 and Avanti EVO are typically suited to longer point‑to‑point trips than either helicopter, with the Avanti often offering strong cruise efficiency and the TBM emphasizing fast, single‑pilot business travel. The Bell 525, however, is a long‑range helicopter and can cover substantially more distance than the MD 902, especially with typical corporate seating. Passenger capacity differs notably: the TBM 960 is usually configured for about 4–6 passengers plus pilot, the Avanti EVO commonly carries around 6–8, the MD 902 typically seats about 5–7 including pilot, and the Bell 525 can be configured for higher counts, often around 12–16 depending on layout.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Daher TBM | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1730 | 1530 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 2908 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 330 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.25 | — |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.56 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 744 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | 9 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | 24000 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 35.3 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 4 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 13.4 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | — | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 35.2 |