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Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189

The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility missions. Both sit in the same general category, with similar long-range capability for a helicopter and high passenger counts; the AW189 is commonly configured for roughly the mid‑teens in seats, while the 525 is typically in a similar bracket depending on interior and mission kit. The Enstrom 480B is a much smaller single‑engine helicopter, suited to training, patrol, and light utility work; it carries only a few passengers and has materially shorter range than the two larger twins. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is not a helicopter but a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing utility aircraft; as a category it trades vertical lift for higher cruise efficiency, generally offering longer range than comparable helicopters and a higher practical passenger load, often up to around 9 passengers in typical commuter configurations. Overall, the 525 and AW189 are the heavy-lift people movers in the helicopter set, the 480B is a light helicopter for small parties, and the 208B is the range-and-capacity workhorse if runways are available.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit22
Min Crew21
Total Seats1821
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellLeonardo
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)580651
Max Cabin Seats1619
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)6675
Standard Cabin Seats1619
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160155
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
Cockpit22
Min Crew21
Total Seats1821
Max Cabin Seats1619
Standard Cabin Seats1619
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYes
ModelCT7-2F1CT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40004000
Horsepower18001983
No. of Engines22
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5857.8
Cabin Width (ft)7.58
Cabin Height (ft)4.5
Cabin Length (ft)15.5
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)395