AIR.ONE

Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls

The Bell 525 Relentless and the Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, corporate/VIP missions, and high‑utilization commercial work, while the Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing airplane oriented toward owner‑operators and business travel. In range terms, the M600 SLS typically offers longer point‑to‑point cruise range than either helicopter because fixed‑wing aircraft are generally more efficient in cruise, whereas the 525 and AW189 trade some range for vertical‑lift capability, hover performance, and access to helipads and remote sites. For passenger capacity, the helicopters lead: the AW189 is commonly configured for around the mid‑teens in passengers in high‑density transport layouts, and the Bell 525 is in a similar class with a large cabin suited to multiple seating schemes, including executive arrangements. The Piper M600 SLS is much smaller in cabin volume and is usually operated with one pilot and up to five passengers (six seats total), prioritizing speed and efficiency over cabin capacity and vertical access.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189Piper M600 SLS
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18216
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellLeonardoPiper
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW189M600
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806511406
Max Cabin Seats1619
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)66752200
Standard Cabin Seats16194
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFISGarmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160155274
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$2,413,000$3,081,400
DOC / nm$ 15.57$ 2.19
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.74$ 0.55
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,413$ 603
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew211
Total Seats18215
Max Cabin Seats1619
Standard Cabin Seats16194
LavatoryNo
Galley LocationMID
Cabin Pressure (psi)5.6
Galley / RefreshmentRefreshment Centre
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)12600
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)8644
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesNo
ModelCT7-2F1CT7-2E1PT6A-42A
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040003600
Horsepower18001983600
No. of Engines221
Fuel Capacity (gal)641260
Flat RatingISA + 55
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5857.829.7
Cabin Width (ft)7.584.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.54
Cabin Length (ft)15.512.3
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.611.3
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)395165
Wingspan (ft)43.2
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)20