Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane, while the Bell 525 Relentless, Leonardo AW189, and MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are helicopters. In category and mission, the TBM 960 is optimized for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel from runways; the Bell 525 and AW189 are medium twin helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility roles; the MD 902 is a lighter twin helicopter geared toward EMS, police, and short‑haul corporate use. On range, the TBM 960 generally leads by a wide margin, offering roughly about 1,000–1,700 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves. The Bell 525 and AW189 typically sit in the middle, commonly around the 450–500+ nautical mile class, again varying with payload and fuel. The MD 902 is usually shorter‑legged, often in the roughly 300–400 nautical mile range. For passenger capacity, the AW189 is typically the largest, commonly configured around 16–19 passengers, with the Bell 525 close behind in similar high‑density layouts. The MD 902 usually seats about 7–8. The TBM 960 typically carries 4–6 passengers plus a pilot in executive seating.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Daher TBM | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | TBM 960 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1730 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 744 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 6 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 4 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 6.2 | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 850 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 49 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 35.3 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 13.4 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | — | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | 85 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 42.1 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | 395 |