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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.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189Piaggio Avanti EVO
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18218
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellLeonardoPiaggio
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW189Avanti EVO
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806511530
Max Cabin Seats16197
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)66753775
Standard Cabin Seats16196
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFISRockwell Collins Pro Line 21
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160155400
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
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18218
Max Cabin Seats16197
Standard Cabin Seats16196
LavatoryNo
Cabin Pressure (psi)9
Galley / RefreshmentNo
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)24000
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)6600
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1CT7-2E1PT6A–66B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040003600
Horsepower18001983850
No. of Engines222
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Flat RatingISA + 28
Fuel Burn (gph)100
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5857.847.3
Cabin Width (ft)7.586.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.55.8
Cabin Length (ft)15.514.9
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.613.1
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)395
Wingspan (ft)47.1
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)3.5
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)35.2