Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 530f
In category, the Airbus H125, Bell 505, and MD 500E are commonly positioned as light single-engine utility/tour helicopters, while the Airbus H130 is a light single optimized more for passenger comfort and sightseeing, and the MD 530F is a higher‑performance light single oriented toward hot‑and‑high and utility roles. For passenger capacity, the H130 typically carries the most, usually one pilot plus up to six passengers, whereas the H125 commonly seats one pilot plus up to five passengers depending on configuration. The Bell 505 is generally one pilot plus up to four passengers. The MD 500E and MD 530F are usually configured around one pilot plus up to four passengers, with mission kits often reducing seats. For range, the H125 and H130 are generally in the mid‑300 to ~400 nautical mile class (fuel and configuration dependent), the Bell 505 is typically in the low‑to‑mid‑300 nautical mile class, and the MD 500E and MD 530F are commonly in the ~200 to low‑300 nautical mile class, with auxiliary tanks extending this.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 530F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 3.53 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.59 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | 505 JetRanger X | MD 500E | MD 530F |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 306 | 258 | 216 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | 3 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 1500 | 1483 | 1509 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 441 | $ 398 | $ 480 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 125 | 135 | 134 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 3,400,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2R | 250-C20B | 250-C30 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 505 | 420 | 650 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | 84.85 | 64 | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 | 35 | 35 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 42.48 | 30.9 | 32.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 10.65 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 37 | 26.4 | 27.5 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 6.51 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.66 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 2.75 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 7.17 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 137 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 18 | — | — |