Bell 525 Relentless vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Bell 525 Relentless and Sikorsky S-76D are both twin‑engine, IFR-capable helicopters commonly considered in the medium business and offshore transport space, but they sit in slightly different weight and mission niches. The Bell 525 is generally categorized as a “super‑medium” helicopter, aimed at longer, heavier offshore and utility missions, while the S‑76D is typically viewed as a “medium” helicopter with a long history in executive transport and shorter-to-midrange offshore work. In range, the 525 is designed to offer a longer legs profile than the S‑76D in many typical configurations, making it more oriented to extended overwater routes and higher payload-range flexibility. For passenger capacity, the 525 is usually configured to carry more passengers in offshore-style seating, whereas the S‑76D more commonly seats fewer passengers, often favoring a more spacious executive layout. In practice, the 525 is the roomier, longer-reach option, while the S‑76D is the lighter, widely proven choice for corporate and regional missions.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 441 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $14,900,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 11.49 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.96 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 1,781 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 10 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | 296 |
| 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 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | 44 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | — |