Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New
The Bell 525 Relentless and the Leonardo AW109 GrandNew sit in different helicopter classes, so the comparison is largely one of category and mission. The Bell 525 is a super‑medium, twin‑engine helicopter aimed at longer-range, higher-payload roles such as offshore transport and larger corporate missions, with a roomier cabin and typically higher seating capacity. The AW109 GrandNew is a light, twin‑engine helicopter optimized for short-to-mid-range work where speed, agility, and operating economy matter, commonly used for VIP transport, EMS, and utility flying, with a smaller cabin and fewer passengers. In range terms, the Bell 525 is generally designed to fly farther with more reserves and payload flexibility, while the AW109 GrandNew’s practical range is usually shorter, though still strong for its light category. For passenger capacity, the Bell 525 typically accommodates more passengers in standard layouts, whereas the AW109 GrandNew usually carries fewer, often configured for a smaller VIP group plus baggage.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW109 Grand New |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 464 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 156 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $ 7,800,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 7.31 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.91 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 1,140 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 42.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 35.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — |