Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Robinson R66
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are modern, twin‑engine medium helicopters aimed at offshore, corporate, and utility missions. Both sit in a similar category, but the 525 is typically positioned as a higher‑end fly‑by‑wire platform, while the AW189 is a widely deployed super‑medium workhorse. In range, both generally offer several hundred nautical miles in typical configurations, with mission radius varying heavily by payload and reserves. Passenger capacity for each is commonly in the mid‑teens in high‑density layouts, though executive interiors reduce seats. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is not a helicopter but a twin‑turboprop business aircraft; it operates in a different category with higher cruise speed and a longer practical range than these rotorcraft, typically carrying about 6–9 passengers in a pressurized cabin. The Robinson R66 is a light, single‑engine helicopter optimized for cost and simplicity. It has the shortest range of the group and the smallest capacity, generally seating a pilot plus about four passengers, making it better suited to shorter regional trips, training, and light utility rather than offshore or heavy transport.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 | 1530 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 | 400 |
| 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 | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 35.2 |