AIR.ONE

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.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessDassault Falcon 8XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats181721
Flight RulesIFR—IFR
ManufacturerBellDassault FalconLeonardo
Aircraft Name525 Relentless8XAW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806450651
Max Cabin Seats161619
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)667536900—
Standard Cabin Seats161419
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HHoneywell Primus EASy IIEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160516155
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
Cockpit232
Min Crew221
Total Seats181721
Max Cabin Seats161619
Standard Cabin Seats161419
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
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1PW307DCT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuel—JetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000On-Condition4000
Horsepower1800—1983
No. of Engines232
Fuel Capacity (gal)641——
Flat Rating—ISA + 17—
Thrust (lbs)—6722—
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77——
Length (ft)61.5880.257.8
Cabin Width (ft)7.587.7—
Cabin Height (ft)4.56.2—
Cabin Length (ft)15.542.7—
Overall Height (ft)18.1826.116.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.5—48
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128—85
Wingspan (ft)—86.3—
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—1695395
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)—6.3—
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)—29.2—
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)—140—