Airbus Helicopters H215 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Sikorsky S 92
Airbus Helicopters’ H215, Bell’s 525 Relentless, and Sikorsky’s S-92 all sit in the medium-to-heavy twin‑engine class, but they target slightly different missions. The H215 is generally positioned as a versatile “super‑medium” workhorse for utility, offshore support, and SAR-style roles, typically offering a moderate range and a high-density cabin that can be configured for roughly the high‑teens to low‑20s passengers depending on layout. Bell’s 525 is a modern super‑medium aimed strongly at offshore oil and gas and corporate/VIP missions; it is typically marketed with a longer range than legacy utility types and a spacious cabin commonly configured around the mid‑teens to near‑20 passengers. The Sikorsky S‑92 is usually considered the heavier, long‑cabin option optimized for offshore transport and SAR, commonly carrying around 19 passengers in standard offshore seating, with range generally competitive for longer offshore sectors and robust all‑weather operations. Overall, H215 emphasizes payload and rugged utility, 525 emphasizes newer-generation efficiency and range, and S‑92 emphasizes heavy offshore capability and passenger comfort.
| Spec | AIRBUS H215 | Bell 525 Relentless | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 19.07 | — | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H215 | 525 Relentless | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 468 | 580 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.91 | — | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 8903 | 6675 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,708 | — | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $27,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 1A1 | CT7-2F1 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1820 | 1800 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 540 | 641 | 760 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 61.4 | 61.58 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.2 | 18.18 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 51.2 | 54.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 473.9 | — | 775 |
| 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 | 140 |