Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Robinson R66
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 sit in the super‑medium class, aimed at offshore, SAR, and high‑utilization corporate transport. Both typically offer the longest legs in this group, with practical ranges broadly in the 450–500+ nautical mile class depending on fit and reserves, and cabin layouts commonly around 16–19 passengers (or fewer with VIP/mission equipment). The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a smaller light twin, optimized for EMS, law enforcement, and utility work; it generally trades cabin volume and endurance for lower operating weight, with typical range around the 300–400 nautical mile class and seating usually in the 6–8 passenger range. The Robinson R66 is a light single, geared toward owner-operators, training, light utility, and short executive hops; it carries about 4 passengers plus a pilot (five total seats) and typically offers roughly 300 nautical miles of range class, again varying with fuel, payload, and conditions. Overall, 525/AW189 prioritize capacity and reach, the 902 balances twin‑engine flexibility with smaller size, and the R66 emphasizes simplicity and cost.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 |