Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor
The Airbus Helicopters H175 and Bell 525 Relentless are both conventional medium/“super‑medium” twin‑engine helicopters, while the Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor that transitions from helicopter-like vertical takeoff and landing to airplane-like wingborne cruise, placing it in a different operational category focused on higher speed and longer point-to-point legs. In range terms, the H175 and Bell 525 are broadly comparable for typical offshore and utility missions, with the 525 generally positioned with slightly longer-range capability depending on configuration, whereas the AW609 is designed to deliver substantially greater range than most similarly sized helicopters because it cruises more like a turboprop airplane. For passenger capacity, the H175 and Bell 525 are typically configured around the mid-teens, with layouts commonly in the 16–19 passenger class depending on mission fit, while the AW609 is smaller in cabin volume and is usually configured for roughly 6–9 passengers. Overall, H175 and 525 compete most directly with each other, while the AW609 trades cabin capacity for speed and extended reach.
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 18 | 18 | — |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | 525 Relentless | AW609 Tiltrotor |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 580 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 16 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | — | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | — |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 160 | — |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $15,000,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 18 | 18 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 16 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | — |
| Model | PT6A-67E | CT7-2F1 | — |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | — |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 1800 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 641 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | 61.58 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | 18.18 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | 54.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | 128 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — |