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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.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessCessna Citation XLS+AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats181021
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellCessna CitationLeonardo
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessXLS+AW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5801906651
Max Cabin Seats16919
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)66757540
Standard Cabin Seats16819
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HRockwell Collins Pro Line 21EFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160430155
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
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats181021
Max Cabin Seats16919
Standard Cabin Seats16819
Lavatory1 Enclosed Belted Flushing
Crew RestNo
Jump SeatNo
Galley LocationFWD
Lavatory LocationAFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)9.3
Galley / RefreshmentGalley
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)25230
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1PW545CCT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400050004000
Horsepower18001983
No. of Engines222
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Flat RatingISA + 10
Thrust (lbs)4119
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5852.557.8
Cabin Width (ft)7.585.5
Cabin Height (ft)4.55.7
Cabin Length (ft)15.518.5
Overall Height (ft)18.1817.216.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)1288085
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