Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Enstrom 480b vs Sikorsky S 92
The Bell 525 Relentless and Sikorsky S‑92 are both medium, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility transport, while the Enstrom 480B is a much smaller single‑engine turbine helicopter typically used for training, patrol, and light utility work. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is not a helicopter at all but a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing utility aircraft, optimized for simple, rugged regional lift. In range terms, the Grand Caravan EX generally offers the longest legs among these four in typical operations, reflecting fixed‑wing efficiency. The S‑92 and Bell 525 are broadly similar long‑range helicopter options, commonly configured for extended overwater missions, with the 525 often positioned as the newer, high‑cruise‑speed entrant and the S‑92 as a proven heavy‑lift offshore workhorse. The Enstrom 480B has the shortest range, suited to local or regional missions rather than long haul. Passenger capacity follows a similar split: the S‑92 and Bell 525 can carry roughly the mid‑teens depending on configuration, the Grand Caravan EX typically seats up to about 14, and the Enstrom 480B carries only a small handful (about 4–5).
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 439 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7417 |
| 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 | $30,650,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 19.79 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.94 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,068 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 140 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 775 |