Bell 525 Relentless vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Piper M600 Sls
The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) MD 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters, while the Piaggio Avanti EVO and Piper M600 SLS are fixed‑wing turboprops. For range, the Avanti EVO generally leads among these, offering roughly 1,700–1,800 nautical miles depending on reserves and configuration, making it the strongest choice for longer city‑pair trips. The Piper M600 SLS is also long‑legged for its class at about 1,400–1,500 nautical miles, aimed at owner‑pilot or small executive missions. Helicopters trade range for vertical access: the Bell 525 is typically around 500–600 nautical miles and the MD 902 about 300–400 nautical miles, well suited to offshore, EMS, and point‑to‑point access where runways are unavailable. Passenger capacity follows mission and cabin volume: the Bell 525 is usually configured for roughly 12–16 passengers, the MD 902 commonly carries about 7–8, the Avanti EVO typically seats 7–9, and the M600 SLS is usually 5–6 seats (including the pilot).
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Piaggio | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | Avanti EVO | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1530 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 3775 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 400 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | — | $ 2.19 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | — | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | — | $ 603 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 24000 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 | 8644 |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PT6A–66B | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 28 | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 47.3 | 29.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 14.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 13.1 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 47.1 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 165 |