Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are medium, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility missions; both prioritize vertical access and cabin volume over cruise efficiency. In typical use, their range is on the order of roughly 500–700 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves, and they generally seat around 16–19 passengers in high‑density layouts (fewer in executive configurations). The AW189 is widely deployed today, while the 525 is a newer design still progressing toward broader operational entry. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility airplane optimized for short, unimproved strips and cargo/passenger flexibility. It commonly carries about 9 passengers (plus crew) and offers longer legs than the helicopters, often roughly 800–1,000+ nautical miles depending on load. The Piper M600 SLS is a pressurized, single‑engine turboprop personal/business aircraft. It typically carries 5–6 passengers, cruises faster than the Caravan, and offers similar or somewhat greater range, often around 1,000+ nautical miles, trading rugged utility for speed and comfort.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | 165 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 43.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 |