Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are medium twin‑engine helicopters, optimized for vertical access and short-hop flexibility rather than long cruise distance. In category terms, the Bell 525 is a modern fly‑by‑wire super‑medium class helicopter, while the AW189 is a medium helicopter widely used for offshore and utility missions. Typical passenger capacity is broadly similar, generally around the mid‑teens depending on interior, with both offering practical ranges on the order of a few hundred nautical miles. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility airplane, not a helicopter, emphasizing rugged short/rough-field capability and low operating cost. It typically carries about 9 to 14 passengers depending on configuration, and its range is generally comparable to or somewhat greater than many helicopters, often several hundred to over 1,000 nautical miles depending on load and reserves. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light/midsize business jet, designed for speed and longer point‑to‑point travel. It typically seats about 7 to 9 passengers in executive layouts and offers the longest range of the four, commonly around 1,800 to 2,100 nautical miles.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | 85 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 395 |