Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Leonardo Aw189
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are medium-class helicopters optimized for point-to-point access where runways are unavailable, while the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a rugged single‑engine turboprop utility airplane and the Embraer Legacy 650E is a long‑range large‑cabin business jet aimed at intercity and intercontinental missions. By range, the Legacy 650E is the clear leader, designed for long nonstop trips on the order of several thousand nautical miles, far beyond the others. The Grand Caravan EX typically offers roughly around a thousand nautical miles class range depending on load and conditions, suiting regional sectors. The Bell 525 and AW189 generally sit in the several-hundred–nautical‑mile range class, prioritizing vertical lift and mission flexibility over maximum distance. Passenger capacity also differs by mission. The Legacy 650E commonly seats about 13 passengers in executive configuration. The Grand Caravan EX is often configured for up to about 9–14 passengers. The AW189 typically carries around the mid‑teens to high‑teens in transport layouts, while the Bell 525 is commonly around 12–16, depending on interior and mission.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 |