Bell 525 Relentless vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Robinson R66
The Bell 525 Relentless is a large, fly-by-wire twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore and corporate transport. It typically carries around 16 passengers in high-density seating (fewer in executive layouts) and offers roughly 500–600 nautical miles of range depending on configuration. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin with a smaller cabin, commonly seating about 8–10 occupants including pilots, and has a shorter typical range on the order of 300–400 nautical miles. The Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine turbine helicopter primarily for utility and private use; it generally seats 5 (including the pilot) and has a similar or slightly shorter practical range, often around 300 nautical miles. By contrast, the Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range tri‑jet business aircraft in an entirely different category, optimized for intercontinental travel. It usually carries 8–14 passengers in executive comfort and can fly about 6,450 nautical miles, far exceeding the helicopters’ range while trading away vertical lift and point‑to‑point landing flexibility.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 6450 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.66 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.64 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,805 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW307D |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 80.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 42.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 26.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |