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Bell 525 Relentless vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piper M600 Sls

The Bell 525 Relentless and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters aimed at vertical-lift missions, while the Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine fixed‑wing turboprop designed for efficient personal and business travel. By category, the Bell 525 is a super‑medium, fly‑by‑wire helicopter built for offshore, corporate, and utility roles, generally larger and more capable than the 902. The MD 902 is a lighter twin helicopter, commonly used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport, with its NOTAR anti‑torque system emphasizing reduced tail-rotor risk and noise. The Piper M600 SLS is a pressurized, single‑pilot turboprop airplane optimized for speed, altitude, and point‑to‑point range from runways. In range, the M600 SLS typically offers the longest reach (roughly around 1,000+ nautical miles depending on configuration), while the Bell 525 is generally mid‑range for a helicopter (often several hundred nautical miles), and the MD 902 is shorter-range than the 525. For passenger capacity, the Bell 525 is usually highest (commonly up to the mid‑teens including crew in typical seating), the MD 902 is mid‑single digits to around ten depending on layout, and the M600 SLS typically seats about six.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessPiper M600 SLS
Summary
Cockpit22
Min Crew21
Total Seats186
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellPiper
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessM600
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5801406
Max Cabin Seats16
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)66752200
Standard Cabin Seats164
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HGarmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160274
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$3,081,400
DOC / nm$ 2.19
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.55
Direct Operating Cost$ 603
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew21
Total Seats185
Max Cabin Seats16
Standard Cabin Seats164
LavatoryNo
Galley LocationMID
Cabin Pressure (psi)5.6
Galley / RefreshmentRefreshment Centre
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)12600
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)8644
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelNo
ModelCT7-2F1PT6A-42A
Fuel TypeJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40003600
Horsepower1800600
No. of Engines21
Fuel Capacity (gal)641260
Flat RatingISA + 55
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5829.7
Cabin Width (ft)7.584.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.54
Cabin Length (ft)15.512.3
Overall Height (ft)18.1811.3
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128
Wingspan (ft)43.2
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)165
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)20