Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bell 525 Relentless and the Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 are both large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, corporate/VIP missions, and utility work, while the Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine business jet designed for fast point‑to‑point travel and operation into shorter or less‑developed runways. In range terms, the PC‑24 generally offers the longest trip capability by a wide margin, typically around 2,000 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves, reflecting jet efficiency at cruise. The Bell 525 and AW189 are broadly comparable long‑range helicopters, commonly quoted in the roughly 450–500+ nautical mile class depending on payload, fuel, and mission profile; real‑world ranges vary significantly with hover, winds, and reserves. For passenger capacity, the AW189 is usually marketed around 16–19 passengers in high‑density seating, and the Bell 525 is commonly cited around 16–20 depending on layout. The PC‑24 typically seats about 6–10 passengers in executive configurations, with higher maximum seating possible in commuter-style layouts but less common in business use.
| 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 |