Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R66
All seven are light single‑engine helicopters, but they span different mission niches. The Airbus H125 is a utility-oriented “workhorse” in the light class, typically offering strong useful load and a practical range for regional missions; passenger capacity is generally up to six (pilot plus five). The Airbus H130 is optimized more for quiet, comfortable passenger and tourism work, with a similar “up to seven” seating layout (pilot plus six) and a comparable regional range, often slightly less utility‑biased than the H125. The Enstrom 480B‑G is a rugged light piston/utility platform with smaller cabin volume; it is typically configured for up to five seats (pilot plus four) and tends to have shorter range than the turbine Airbus models. The Leonardo SH09 is a modern light single aimed at private/corporate missions, generally seating about six and offering a regional range competitive with other light turbines. MD’s 500E prioritizes agility and speed in a compact five‑seat layout, usually with moderate range. The MD 600N adds cabin and passenger space (often six seats) and similar or slightly improved mission legs. The Robinson R66 is a cost‑focused light turbine, commonly seating five (pilot plus four) with solid regional range for its class.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 4.06 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 600N | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 430 | 258 | 341 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.70 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | — | 1483 | 2000 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 545 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 140 | 135 | 134 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $3,400,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | 7 | — | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | 5 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | 250-C47 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 5500 | 3500 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 1020 | 420 | 715 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | — | 64 | 118 | 73.6 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 35 | 41 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | — | 30.9 | 36.9 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | — | 8.7 | 9.7 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | — | 26.4 | 27.5 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 18 |