vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H140
All three are light, single‑pilot‑capable Airbus Helicopters models often used for passenger transport, sightseeing, and utility work, but they sit in different weight and performance brackets. The H130 is a light single‑engine helicopter in the “Ecureuil” family, typically favored for tourism and VIP missions because of its roomy cabin and low interior noise; it generally offers the greatest passenger capacity of the three, commonly seating a pilot plus up to about six passengers. The H135 is a light twin‑engine helicopter, widely chosen for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate flying where twin‑engine redundancy is valued; passenger seating is usually lower than the H130, often around a pilot plus five to six passengers depending on configuration and mission equipment. In category terms, both are light helicopters, but the H135 is the light twin while the H130 is the light single. On range, both are broadly comparable in typical mission planning, with the H135 often quoted with a slightly longer maximum range in many configurations, while real‑world range for either varies significantly with payload, reserves, and installed equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H135 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 342 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 3124 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 861 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 136 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 660 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 33.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 12.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 34 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 |