Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless
The Bell 429 GlobalRanger and Bell 525 Relentless sit in different helicopter categories and are aimed at different mission profiles. The Bell 429 is a light twin‑engine helicopter optimized for short to medium missions such as EMS, law enforcement, and corporate or utility flying, where efficiency and operating cost matter. The Bell 525 is a super‑medium twin designed for higher-end transport and offshore-style missions, emphasizing greater speed, payload, and all-weather capability. In range, the 525 is built to fly substantially farther than the 429, making it more suitable for longer legs and remote operations, while the 429’s range is typically adequate for regional point-to-point flying and frequent-cycle missions. Passenger capacity also separates them: the 429 commonly carries about six to seven passengers in typical corporate layouts (configuration dependent), whereas the 525 is intended to carry more—often around a dozen or more in passenger-transport configurations—along with greater cabin volume for comfort, baggage, or mission equipment.
| Spec | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.29 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 18 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | 429 GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 365 | 580 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2535 | 6675 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 16 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 931 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 148 | 160 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,500,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 18 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 16 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel |
| Model | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1100 | 1800 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 216.9 | 641 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 26.37 | 25.77 |
| Length (ft) | 43 | 61.58 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | 7.58 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 6.58 | 15.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.25 | 18.18 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36 | 54.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 130 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 74 | 128 |