Bell 525 Relentless vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Piper M600 Sls
The Bell 525 Relentless is a fly-by-wire, twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility missions. It sits in a different category than the other two, trading speed and altitude for vertical takeoff/landing flexibility. Its typical mission range is roughly in the 500–700 nautical mile class depending on load and reserves, and it generally carries a pilot plus about 10–15 passengers in high-density configurations, with fewer for VIP layouts. The Dassault Falcon 8X is an ultra‑long‑range, three‑engine business jet optimized for intercontinental travel. It offers the greatest range of the three at about 6,450 nautical miles, and typically seats 12–16 passengers in executive configurations (with maximum certified capacity higher, depending on layout). The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine, pressurized turboprop positioned as a high‑performance personal and owner‑flown aircraft. Its range is roughly around 1,000–1,400 nautical miles depending on power settings and payload, and it usually carries 1–5 passengers plus the pilot (up to six seats total).
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Dassault Falcon | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | 8X | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 6450 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 36900 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.66 | $ 2.19 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.64 | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,805 | $ 603 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | MID |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW307D | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 80.2 | 29.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 7.7 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 42.7 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 26.1 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 | 165 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | 20 |