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Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 520n

Airbus Helicopters’ H125 and H130 are single‑engine light helicopters, while the H135 is a twin‑engine light helicopter; the MD 500E and MD 520N are also single‑engine light helicopters. In passenger capacity, the H130 typically carries the most in this group (commonly 1 pilot plus up to 6 passengers), the H125 is usually configured around 1 pilot plus 5 passengers, and the H135 commonly seats about 1–2 pilots plus 5–6 passengers depending on interior and mission fit. The MD 500E and MD 520N are generally smaller-cabin aircraft, often configured around 1–2 pilots plus 3–4 passengers. On range, the H125 and H130 generally offer solid cross‑country capability for single‑engine types, with typical ranges on the order of roughly 330–400+ nautical miles depending on fuel options and payload. The H135’s range is commonly in a similar broad band (often roughly 300–350+ nautical miles) while providing twin‑engine redundancy. The MD 500E and MD 520N typically have shorter ranges (often around roughly 250–330 nautical miles), varying with tanks, powerplant, and mission equipment.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H130AIRBUS H135MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 520N
Summary
Cockpit23222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 5.00$ 6.33$ 2.95$ 3.38
Min Crew11111
Total Seats67944
Flight RulesVFRVFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersMD HelicotpersMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125H130H135MD 500EMD 520N
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341333342258210
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.71$ 0.79$ 0.74$ 0.85
Max Cabin Seats55733
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)21892299312414831764
Standard Cabin Seats44722
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 640$ 861$ 398$ 416
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGarmin G500HHelionixGyro / AnalogGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136128136135123
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$3,450,000$6,150,000$ 2,750,000$ 2,900,000
Cabin
Cockpit23222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats67944
Max Cabin Seats55733
Standard Cabin Seats44722
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesYesNoNo
ModelArriel 2DArriel 2DArrius 2B2+250-C20B250-C20R
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50005000400035003500
Horsepower847952660420450
No. of Engines11211
Fuel Capacity (gal)1431436464
Fuel Burn (gph)3535
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.541.533.530.931.4
Overall Height (ft)1011.112.68.78.8
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.135.13426.427.4
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173