Bell 525 Relentless vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Bell 525 Relentless and MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters, while the Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop fixed‑wing business aircraft, so it typically delivers higher cruise speed and longer range than either rotorcraft. In mission category, the Bell 525 is a larger “super‑medium” class helicopter aimed at offshore transport and corporate/VIP roles, whereas the MD 902 is a lighter utility/EMS/law‑enforcement and short‑haul corporate helicopter optimized for efficient, low‑footprint operations. For range, the Avanti EVO generally leads (roughly on the order of 1,500–1,800 nautical miles), the Bell 525 sits in the middle (about 500–600 nautical miles depending on configuration), and the MD 902 is usually shorter (around 300–400 nautical miles). Passenger capacity follows a similar pattern: the Bell 525 typically accommodates the most (commonly up to around 16–19 including crew in high‑density layouts), the Avanti EVO usually seats about 7–9 in executive configuration (plus crew), and the MD 902 commonly carries about 5–8 (plus crew), depending on interior and mission kit.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1530 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 |