Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189
In category, the Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are heavy, long-range offshore/utility twins designed for demanding SAR and energy missions, while the Bell 525 Relentless is a modern “super‑medium” twin aimed at similar offshore and corporate roles with a slightly lighter, faster design philosophy. The Enstrom 480B sits in a different class as a light single, typically used for training, patrol, and utility work rather than offshore transport. For range, the H225 generally offers the longest legs in typical configurations, optimized for extended overwater operations, with the AW189 close behind depending on fuel fit and mission equipment. The Bell 525 is competitive in the super‑medium segment, offering strong range but usually not matching the largest heavy twins when configured for maximum endurance. The Enstrom 480B has substantially shorter range than the three twins, reflecting its lighter, single‑engine role. Passenger capacity follows the same pattern: the H225 is usually the highest, commonly around the high‑teens to low‑twenties depending on layout; the AW189 and Bell 525 typically carry in the mid‑teens in standard transport seating; the Enstrom 480B is a small cabin aircraft, typically seating about five.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 395 |
| 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 | 85 |