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.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 | 2076 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 | 440 |
| 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 | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 6 |
| 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 | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 | — |
| 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 |