AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Robinson Helicopters R66

All five are light single‑engine helicopters, but they split into higher‑utility versus smaller‑cabin categories. The Airbus H125 sits in the light utility/high‑performance class and typically offers the longest practical range of this group, with seating commonly arranged for one pilot plus up to five passengers (configurations vary). The Airbus H130 is a light single focused on passenger comfort and tourism; it usually carries one pilot plus up to six passengers and has a solid but generally slightly shorter range than the H125 depending on fit and mission. The Bell 505 is a light single in the entry/utility class, generally configured for one pilot plus up to four passengers, with a mid‑pack range. The MD 500E is a light utility helicopter often optimized for agility and mission equipment; it commonly carries one pilot plus up to four passengers and typically has a shorter range than the larger Airbus singles. The Robinson R66 is a light turbine in the owner/operator and utility niche, usually one pilot plus up to four passengers, with range comparable to the Bell 505 and often longer than an MD 500E depending on tanks and loading.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H130Bell 505 JetRanger XMD Helicopters MD 500EROBINSON R66
Summary
Cockpit23222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 5.00$ 3.53$ 2.95$ 3.49
Min Crew11111
Total Seats67545
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellMD HelicotpersRobinson Helicopters
Aircraft NameH125H130505 JetRanger XMD 500ER66
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341333306258350
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.71$ 0.71$ 0.74$ 0.70
Max Cabin Seats553
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)21892299150014831355
Standard Cabin Seats44323
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 640$ 441$ 398$ 384
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGarmin G500HGarmin G1000HGyro / AnalogGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136128125135110
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$3,450,000$1,445,000$ 2,750,000$ 920,000
Cabin
Cockpit23222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats67545
Max Cabin Seats553
Standard Cabin Seats44323
Engine
FADECYesYesDual-ChannelNoNo
ModelArriel 2DArriel 2DArrius 2R250-C20BRR300
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50005000400035002000
Horsepower847952505420300
No. of Engines11111
Fuel Capacity (gal)14314384.856473.6
Fuel Burn (gph)32.335
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.541.542.4830.938.3
Overall Height (ft)1011.110.658.711.4
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.135.13726.433
Width (ft)6.51
Cabin Width (ft)4.66
Cabin Height (ft)2.75
Cabin Length (ft)7.17
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)13750
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)1818