Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Piper M600 Sls
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are both large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore, SAR, and corporate transport. In category they sit above the other two aircraft in lifting capability and cabin volume. Typical passenger capacity is roughly 16–20 for the Bell 525 (high‑density layouts) and about 16–18 for the AW189, with executive layouts carrying fewer. Their ranges are broadly similar, generally in the mid‑400 to 500+ nautical mile class depending on configuration and reserves. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop, pressurized fixed‑wing aircraft designed for fast, efficient business travel. It typically carries about 7–9 passengers and offers longer legs than the helicopters, commonly around 1,200–1,500 nautical miles. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop in the personal/light business category. It seats up to 6 (often 4–5 in comfort) and typically ranges around 1,200–1,500 nautical miles. Overall, the helicopters prioritize vertical access and cabin volume; the Avanti and M600 prioritize speed and range on runways.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Piaggio | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 | Avanti EVO | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 | 1530 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 7 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | 3775 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 6 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 | 400 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 15.57 | — | $ 2.19 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.74 | — | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,413 | — | $ 603 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 7 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 6 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 24000 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6600 | 8644 |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | MID |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A–66B | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 | 850 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 28 | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 | 47.3 | 29.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | 5.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — | 14.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 | 13.1 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | — | 165 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 47.1 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 35.2 | 20 |