AIR.ONE

Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24

The Bell 525 Relentless, Leonardo (Agusta) AW189, and MD Helicopters 902 Explorer are rotorcraft, typically chosen for point-to-point access to sites without runways, while the Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet that requires an airstrip but delivers much higher cruise speed and range. In category terms, the Bell 525 and AW189 sit in the “super‑medium” twin‑engine helicopter class, with the AW189 oriented strongly toward offshore/utility missions and the 525 positioned as a modern, fly‑by‑wire-capable executive/mission platform. The MD 902 is a smaller light twin helicopter, optimized for lower operating footprint and urban/public-safety roles. On range, the PC‑24 generally offers the longest legs (roughly around 2,000 nautical miles class depending on load), while the Bell 525 and AW189 are typically in the several-hundred‑nautical‑mile class (often roughly ~500–600 nm depending on configuration). The MD 902 is shorter-range than the super‑medium twins, commonly around the ~300 nm class. For passengers, the PC‑24 usually seats about 6–10 in executive layouts; the 525 and AW189 commonly carry around 12–16 in typical configurations; the MD 902 is usually around 7–8.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189Pilatus PC-24
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18216
Flight RulesIFRIFR—
ManufacturerBellLeonardoPilatus
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW189PC-24
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806512076
Max Cabin Seats161910
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)6675—6680
Standard Cabin Seats16196
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFISPilatus ACE (Primus Apex)
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160155440
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$2,413,000$11,800,000
DOC / nm—$ 15.57$ 3.71
DOC / nm / Seat—$ 0.74$ 0.62
Direct Operating Cost—$ 2,413$ 1,619
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18216
Max Cabin Seats161910
Standard Cabin Seats16196
Lavatory——1 Enclosed Flushing
Crew Rest——No
Jump Seat——No
Cargo Door——Yes
Galley Location——FWD
Lavatory Location——FWD
Cabin Pressure (psi)——9.3
Galley / Refreshment——Optional Refreshment Center
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)——23500
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1CT7-2E1FJ44-4A-QPM
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel—
TBO (hrs)400040005000
Horsepower18001983—
No. of Engines222
Fuel Capacity (gal)641——
Flat Rating——ISA + 23
Thrust (lbs)——3435
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77——
Length (ft)61.5857.852.2
Cabin Width (ft)7.58—5.6
Cabin Height (ft)4.5—5.1
Cabin Length (ft)15.5—23
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.617.4
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548—
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885—
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—395—
Wingspan (ft)——55.8
Aisle Step (ft)——Flat Floor
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)——3.8
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)——17
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)——90