AIR.ONE

Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo

The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are both modern, medium twin-engine helicopters aimed at offshore, SAR, and corporate shuttle missions; they sit in a similar category and typically offer the greatest practical passenger capacity of the group, commonly configured around the mid-teens (often about 16–19) with ranges generally in the 450–500+ nautical mile class depending on fit and reserves. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a lighter twin helicopter optimized for lower operating costs and urban operations; it carries fewer passengers (typically around 8–10) and generally has a shorter range (roughly 300+ nautical miles). The Piaggio Avanti EVO is not a helicopter but a pressurized twin‑turboprop airplane; it trades vertical lift for higher cruise speed and longer legs, typically carrying about 6–9 passengers with a range commonly around 1,000+ nautical miles, making it better for point‑to‑point regional travel where runways are available. Overall, AW189 and Bell 525 lead on rotorcraft capacity and mission flexibility, the MD 902 is the smaller/shorter‑range rotor option, and the Avanti EVO leads on range and cruise efficiency.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189Piaggio Avanti EVO
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18218
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellLeonardoPiaggio
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW189Avanti EVO
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806511530
Max Cabin Seats16197
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)66753775
Standard Cabin Seats16196
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFISRockwell Collins Pro Line 21
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160155400
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$2,413,000$ 7,695,000
DOC / nm$ 15.57
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.74
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,413
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18218
Max Cabin Seats16197
Standard Cabin Seats16196
LavatoryNo
Cabin Pressure (psi)9
Galley / RefreshmentNo
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)24000
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)6600
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1CT7-2E1PT6A–66B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040003600
Horsepower18001983850
No. of Engines222
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Flat RatingISA + 28
Fuel Burn (gph)100
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5857.847.3
Cabin Width (ft)7.586.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.55.8
Cabin Length (ft)15.514.9
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.613.1
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)395
Wingspan (ft)47.1
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)3.5
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)35.2