Bell 525 Relentless vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are rotorcraft suited to point-to-point access where runways are limited. The Bell 525 is a super‑medium helicopter with a typical range around 560 nautical miles and usually carries about 16 passengers in high-density seating (fewer in executive layouts). The MD 902 is a light twin helicopter with a range around 350 nautical miles and typically seats about 8 passengers. The Dassault Falcon 8X and Piaggio Avanti EVO are fixed‑wing business aircraft optimized for longer trips between airports. The Falcon 8X is an ultra‑long‑range business jet with roughly 6,450 nautical miles of range and commonly accommodates 12–16 passengers depending on configuration. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop business aircraft designed for efficiency and speed in the turboprop class, with about 1,700–1,800 nautical miles of range and typically seats 7–9 passengers. Overall, the Falcon 8X leads on range and long-haul capability, the Avanti EVO balances efficiency with medium-range performance, while the helicopters trade range for vertical access and flexible landing options.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Dassault Falcon | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | 8X | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 6450 | 1530 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 36900 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.66 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.64 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,805 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW307D | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 80.2 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 42.7 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 26.1 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | 35.2 |