Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw169
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW169 sit in different helicopter classes, so their strengths are not directly interchangeable. The Bell 525 is a larger, super‑medium twin designed for higher payload, longer legs, and demanding missions such as offshore transport. The AW169 is a lighter, intermediate twin optimized for versatility and efficiency across EMS, law enforcement, corporate shuttle, and light offshore roles. In range terms, the 525 is generally positioned to fly farther with more usable payload, reflecting its bigger fuel and performance margins, while the AW169 typically offers a shorter overall reach but can be very competitive on many regional sectors, especially when configured for specific mission equipment. Passenger capacity also separates them: the 525 is aimed at carrying a larger passenger load in a cabin sized for offshore-style seating, whereas the AW169 usually carries fewer passengers, trading cabin volume and maximum load for lower operating costs and easier access to smaller landing sites. Configuration choices, reserves, and mission kits can materially change real-world numbers for both.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 440 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $9,450,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 11.84 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.99 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 1,658 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 48.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 49.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 222.5 |