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Bell 525 Relentless vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls

The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility missions, while the Enstrom 480B is a smaller single‑engine turbine helicopter typically used for training, patrol, and light utility. The Piper M600 SLS is not a helicopter at all but a single‑engine turboprop airplane, generally oriented toward personal and business travel with higher cruise efficiency than rotorcraft. By category, the Bell 525 and AW189 sit in the “super‑medium” twin helicopter class, offering IFR capability and stronger all‑weather/overwater suitability than the Enstrom 480B. In range, the M600 SLS typically delivers the longest point‑to‑point range among these because fixed‑wing aircraft are more fuel‑efficient in cruise; the Bell 525 and AW189 offer medium‑to‑long helicopter ranges depending on tanks and payload; the Enstrom 480B is usually shortest‑legged. For passenger capacity, the AW189 and Bell 525 carry the most (commonly up to mid‑teens in high‑density seating), the Enstrom 480B is limited to a small cabin load (typically 4–5 total seats), and the M600 SLS is commonly configured for about 5–6 seats.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189Piper M600 SLS
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18216
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellLeonardoPiper
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW189M600
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806511406
Max Cabin Seats1619
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)66752200
Standard Cabin Seats16194
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFISGarmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160155274
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$2,413,000$3,081,400
DOC / nm$ 15.57$ 2.19
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.74$ 0.55
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,413$ 603
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18215
Max Cabin Seats1619
Standard Cabin Seats16194
LavatoryNo
Galley LocationMID
Cabin Pressure (psi)5.6
Galley / RefreshmentRefreshment Centre
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)12600
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)8644
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesNo
ModelCT7-2F1CT7-2E1PT6A-42A
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040003600
Horsepower18001983600
No. of Engines221
Fuel Capacity (gal)641260
Flat RatingISA + 55
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5857.829.7
Cabin Width (ft)7.584.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.54
Cabin Length (ft)15.512.3
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.611.3
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)395165
Wingspan (ft)43.2
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)20