AIR.ONE

Bell 525 Relentless vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66

The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are medium-class, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate shuttle, and utility roles. They typically carry around 16–19 passengers in high‑density layouts (fewer in VIP), with practical ranges roughly in the 400–500 nautical mile class depending on payload and reserves. The Robinson R66 is a light, single‑engine helicopter designed for lower-cost personal, training, and light utility missions; it usually seats 4–5 people and has a shorter practical range, roughly around 300 nautical miles. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, tri‑jet business airplane in a different category altogether, optimized for intercontinental travel at high speed and altitude. It commonly seats about 12–16 passengers in executive configurations (with higher maximums possible), and its range is on the order of 6,000+ nautical miles, enabling nonstop city pairs that are far beyond any of these helicopters. Overall, the helicopters trade speed and range for vertical access and point-to-point flexibility, while the 8X prioritizes distance, cruise performance, and cabin comfort over runway dependence.

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—