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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | MD Helicopters MD 500E | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 3.53 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | 505 JetRanger X | MD 500E | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 306 | 258 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.70 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 1500 | 1483 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 441 | $ 398 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 125 | 135 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2R | 250-C20B | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 505 | 420 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | 84.85 | 64 | 73.6 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 | 35 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 42.48 | 30.9 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 10.65 | 8.7 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 37 | 26.4 | 33 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 6.51 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.66 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 2.75 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 7.17 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 137 | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 18 | — | 18 |