Bell 525 Relentless vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, utility, and executive transport, typically carrying around 16–19 passengers depending on cabin layout. Both offer long helicopter ranges, generally in the several-hundred–nautical‑mile class, with the AW189 often optimized for offshore mission profiles and the 525 positioned as a high-speed, modern fly‑by‑wire helicopter. The Daher TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop airplane, not a helicopter, and it trades vertical-lift capability for much longer range and higher cruise efficiency. It typically seats 4–6 passengers (up to about 6–7 including pilot depending on configuration) and commonly offers roughly 1,000+ nautical miles of range in real-world planning, making it the standout for point-to-point distance. The Robinson R66 is a light, single‑engine helicopter best suited to short regional hops, training, and private use. It typically carries 4–5 occupants including the pilot and has a shorter range than the larger twins, generally a few hundred nautical miles.
| 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 |