Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw139
The Airbus H125 and H130 are single‑engine light helicopters; the H125 typically offers the longest range of this group (roughly in the 330–350+ nm class) with about 5–6 passengers plus pilot, while the H130 emphasizes a roomier, quieter cabin for about 6–7 passengers plus pilot with broadly similar but often slightly lower range depending on fit. The Airbus H135, H145, and Bell 429 are light twin‑engine types; the H135 generally seats about 6–7 passengers with moderate range (around the low‑to‑mid‑300 nm class), while the H145 and Bell 429 commonly carry about 7–8 passengers with similar or somewhat better range (often mid‑300 nm class). Moving up, the Airbus H175 and Leonardo AW139 are medium twins: typical cabin payload is about 12–15 passengers with ranges commonly in the 400–500+ nm class depending on tanks and reserves. The Bell 525 is a larger “super‑medium” twin, aimed at about 16 passengers with ranges often around the 500–600 nm class. Actual figures vary by mission kit and regulatory reserves.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 13.53 | $ 6.29 | — | $ 11.69 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | H135 | H145 | H175 | 429 GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless | AW139 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 342 | 352 | 573 | 365 | 580 | 573 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.75 | $ 0.79 | — | $ 0.69 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 15 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 3124 | 4200 | 6797 | 2535 | 6675 | 4701 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 15 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 2,016 | $ 931 | — | $ 1,929 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 136 | 130 | 149 | 148 | 160 | 165 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $17,900,000 | $7,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 15 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 15 |
| Configuration | — | — | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PT6A-67E | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 | PT6C-67C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 660 | 894 | 1775 | 1100 | 1800 | 1679 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | — | — | — | 216.9 | 641 | 414 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 33.5 | 44.8 | 59.2 | 43 | 61.58 | 54.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 13 | 17.5 | 13.25 | 18.18 | 16.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 34 | 36.1 | 48.5 | 36 | 54.5 | 54.7 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 173 | 166 | 423.8 | 130 | — | 282 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 46.8 | 81.9 | 74 | 128 | 120 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 26.37 | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 6.58 | 15.5 | — |