Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 520n vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 92
The Airbus Helicopters H160 and Bell 525 Relentless are modern, medium-class twin-engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and high-end utility missions; both offer long range for their class, with the 525 generally positioned toward the upper end of medium lift and typically carrying around 16 passengers in high-density layouts, while the H160 is commonly configured around 12 passengers with strong range and efficiency. The Sikorsky S-92 is a heavier, large-cabin twin optimized for offshore and SAR, with the longest practical mission capability here and the highest passenger capacity, commonly around 19 passengers in transport configuration. At the lighter end, the Robinson R66 is a light single-engine turbine helicopter used for utility and private transport, with modest range and about five seats including the pilot. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a light single-engine platform with short-to-moderate range and typically five seats. The MD 520N is similar in role and seating, but uses a NOTAR anti-torque system that can reduce external noise and tail-rotor hazards; its range remains in the light-class bracket.
| Spec | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 525 Relentless | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 520N | ROBINSON R66 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H160 | 525 Relentless | MD 500E | MD 520N | R66 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 460 | 580 | 258 | 210 | 350 | 439 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 3 | 3 | — | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3992 | 6675 | 1483 | 1764 | 1355 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 160 | 135 | 123 | 110 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,000,000 | $15,000,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 2,900,000 | $ 920,000 | $30,650,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | — | $ 2.95 | $ 3.38 | $ 3.49 | $ 19.79 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | — | $ 0.74 | $ 0.85 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.94 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | — | $ 398 | $ 416 | $ 384 | $ 3,068 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 3 | 3 | — | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 19 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | No | No | No | Yes |
| Model | HE Arrano | CT7-2F1 | 250-C20B | 250-C20R | RR300 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3500 | 3500 | 2000 | 4000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Horsepower | — | 1800 | 420 | 450 | 300 | 2520 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 641 | 64 | 64 | 73.6 | 760 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 35 | 35 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 39.4 | 61.58 | 30.9 | 31.4 | 38.3 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 18.18 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 11.4 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 45.2 | 54.5 | 26.4 | 27.4 | 33 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | — | — | 18 | 140 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | 50 | 775 |