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.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 651 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 | 274 |
| 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 | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | No |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1983 | 600 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 85 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | 165 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 43.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 |