Bell 525 Relentless vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are modern, medium-class twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility missions; both typically carry around 16–19 passengers in high-density layouts (fewer in VIP) and offer practical ranges in the several-hundred‑nautical‑mile class, with the 525 generally marketed toward the upper end of this segment. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a lighter twin with a much smaller cabin, commonly configured for about 8–10 passengers, and it generally trades payload and cabin volume for lower operating footprint and shorter range than the 525 or AW189. Dassault’s Falcon 8X is in a different category entirely: a long‑range, large‑cabin business jet. It typically seats about 12–16 passengers in executive comfort (with higher-density options possible) and has intercontinental range measured in thousands of nautical miles, far exceeding any of the helicopters listed. Overall, the Falcon 8X dominates range and cruise efficiency, while the 525 and AW189 balance capacity and mission flexibility, and the 902 Explorer suits smaller groups and shorter legs.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | 8X | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 6450 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 36900 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 17 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 14 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW307D | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 80.2 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 7.7 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 6.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 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) | — | 86.3 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 | 395 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | — |