Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 520n vs Md Helicopters Md 530f
The Airbus Helicopters H125 and H130 are light single‑engine helicopters. The H125 is a utility/high‑hot performer typically carrying about 5 passengers plus a pilot, with an operational range on the order of roughly 330–350 nautical miles depending on fit. The H130 is a quieter, comfort‑oriented single designed for tourism and VIP use, usually seating about 6 passengers plus a pilot, with a broadly similar approximate range around 330–350 nautical miles. The Airbus H135 is a light twin‑engine helicopter aimed at EMS, law enforcement, and corporate missions. It generally carries about 5–6 passengers plus 1–2 pilots (configurable), and its typical range is also in the roughly 330–350 nautical mile class, varying with cabin and mission equipment. MD Helicopters’ MD 500E, MD 520N, and MD 530F are light single‑engine helicopters in the “500” family. They are usually configured for about 4 passengers plus a pilot, with typical ranges commonly around 250–300 nautical miles. The MD 520N is the NOTAR (no tail rotor) variant emphasizing lower noise and improved safety around the tail, while the MD 530F is optimized for higher‑altitude utility performance.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 520N | MD Helicopters MD 530F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.38 | $ 3.59 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | H135 | MD 500E | MD 520N | MD 530F |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 342 | 258 | 210 | 216 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.85 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 3124 | 1483 | 1764 | 1509 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 398 | $ 416 | $ 480 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 136 | 135 | 123 | 134 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 2,900,000 | $ 3,400,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Configuration | — | — | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | 250-C20B | 250-C20R | 250-C30 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 3500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 660 | 420 | 450 | 650 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | — | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 33.5 | 30.9 | 31.4 | 32.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 34 | 26.4 | 27.4 | 27.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 173 | — | — | — |