Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bell 525 Relentless is a fly-by-wire, twin‑engine civil helicopter aimed at offshore, corporate, and public‑service missions. Compared with the two fixed‑wing aircraft, its practical reach is shorter, typically in the roughly 500–600 nautical mile class, but it can operate point‑to‑point without runways and carry about 16 passengers in a high‑density layout (fewer in executive seating). The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane in the high‑performance personal/business category. It generally offers the longest range of the three, around 1,400+ nautical miles depending on reserves and payload, but with the smallest cabin: typically 4–6 passengers plus a pilot, emphasizing speed and efficiency for smaller groups. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet designed for versatile business travel, including operation from shorter or less‑prepared runways than most jets. Its range sits between the TBM and the helicopter at roughly 1,000–1,200 nautical miles, and it carries more people than the TBM, typically 6–10 passengers depending on configuration.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Daher TBM | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1730 | 2076 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 2908 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 330 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $11,800,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.25 | $ 3.71 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.56 | $ 0.62 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 744 | $ 1,619 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Galley Location | — | MID | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | 23500 |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 35.3 | 52.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 4 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 13.4 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | — | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 90 |