Bell 525 Relentless vs Bombardier Global 7500 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Bombardier Global 7500 is the only long‑range business jet in this group, designed for intercontinental travel. It typically carries about 14–19 passengers and has an ultra‑long range of roughly 7,700 nautical miles, making it suitable for nonstop city pairs that helicopters cannot approach. The Bell 525 Relentless is a large, fly‑by‑wire commercial/VIP helicopter aimed at offshore and corporate transport. Depending on configuration it generally seats around 16–20 passengers, with a typical range on the order of about 500–600 nautical miles. The Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 is a super‑medium helicopter widely used for offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, and utility/VIP roles. It commonly carries about 16–19 passengers, with range typically around 450–500 nautical miles depending on tanks and payload. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter optimized for law enforcement, EMS, and short‑haul utility missions. It usually seats about 8–10 people including pilot(s), with a typical range around 300–350 nautical miles.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Bombardier Global 7500 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 14 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Bombardier | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | Global 7500 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 7700 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 12 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Bombardier Vision (Pro Line Fusion) | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $75,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 9.50 | $ 15.57 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Business Jet | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 4,900 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 14 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 12 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | Yes | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 4500 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | Passport | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 15 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 18920 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 111 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 8 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 54.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 27 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | 85 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 104 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 395 |