Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor vs Sikorsky S 76d vs Sikorsky S 92
The Bell 525 Relentless and Sikorsky S-76D are conventional twin‑engine helicopters aimed at corporate and offshore missions, while the Sikorsky S‑92 is a larger, heavier conventional helicopter optimized for high‑capacity offshore transport and SAR. The Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor, bridging helicopter and turboprop roles by cruising faster and higher than typical helicopters, with airplane‑like cruise efficiency but more operational complexity and different infrastructure considerations. In range, the AW609 is generally positioned as the longest‑leg option thanks to higher cruise speed and efficient wing‑borne flight, typically ahead of medium helicopters like the S‑76D and often competitive with or better than the Bell 525 depending on configuration. The S‑92, despite higher fuel burn, can also deliver long practical legs, particularly with auxiliary fuel, but its advantage is more about payload and space than maximum reach. For passenger capacity, the S‑76D is usually the smallest of the group, commonly configured around 8–12 passengers. The AW609 is typically in a similar light‑to‑mid cabin class, often around 6–9 passengers. The Bell 525 generally sits above those in cabin volume and typical seating, often around 12–16. The S‑92 is the clear high‑capacity aircraft, commonly around 16–19 in offshore layouts and capable of more in high‑density configurations.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor | Sikorsky S-76D | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | — | 12 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Sikorsky | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | AW609 Tiltrotor | S-76D | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | — | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | — | 441 | 439 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | — | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — | — | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 10 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | — | Thales TopDeck | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | — | 155 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $14,900,000 | $30,650,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | — | $ 11.49 | $ 19.79 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | — | $ 0.96 | $ 0.94 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | — | $ 1,781 | $ 3,068 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | — | 12 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 10 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | — | 10 | 19 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | — | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | — | PW210S | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | — | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 1077 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | 296 | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | — | 52.5 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | — | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | — | 14.5 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | 44 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — | — | 140 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 775 |