Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are medium helicopters, optimized for point-to-point access where runways aren’t available. Both typically carry around 16–19 passengers depending on configuration, but their practical range is shorter than fixed-wing aircraft, generally on the order of roughly 500–700 nautical miles, varying significantly with payload, reserves, and mission profile. The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop airplane in the personal and utility category. It is far faster and longer‑legged than the helicopters, with a typical range around 1,400–1,700 nautical miles, but it carries fewer people, usually 4–6 passengers (up to about 6–7 seats total depending on layout). The Dassault Falcon 8X is a large-cabin, ultra‑long‑range business jet. It offers by far the greatest range, roughly 6,000+ nautical miles, and a typical passenger load around 12–16 in executive layouts (with higher maximums possible). In short, helicopters prioritize access and flexibility, the TBM 960 prioritizes efficient speed for small groups, and the Falcon 8X prioritizes intercontinental range and cabin space.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Daher TBM | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | 8X | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1730 | 6450 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 2908 | 36900 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 14 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 330 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.25 | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.56 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 744 | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 17 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 14 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | No | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Galley Location | — | MID | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | 10.2 | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | 29200 | — |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | — | Yes | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Galley | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 3900 | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | PW307D | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 6722 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 35.3 | 80.2 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 4 | 7.7 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | 6.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 13.4 | 42.7 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | — | 26.1 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — | 85 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | 86.3 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | 1695 | 395 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 140 | — |