Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Md Helicopters Md 530f
The Airbus Helicopters H125 and MD Helicopters MD 530F are best described as light single‑engine utility helicopters, while the Airbus H135 and H145 are light twin‑engine aircraft typically positioned for passenger transport, EMS, and public‑service missions where engine redundancy is valued. In passenger capacity, the H125 is commonly configured for about five to six passengers plus a pilot depending on interior and mission fit, and the MD 530F is usually smaller, often carrying about three to four passengers plus a pilot. The H135 generally accommodates around five to six passengers plus one or two pilots, while the larger‑cabin H145 typically carries about seven to eight passengers plus one or two pilots, with flexibility for medical interiors. In range, the H125 and MD 530F are broadly in the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles, varying with payload and fuel options; the H135 is similar or slightly higher depending on variant; and the H145 is often competitive in the same general bracket, with some configurations offering longer legs but still strongly dependent on mission equipment, reserves, and cabin load.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | MD Helicopters MD 530F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 3.59 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 10 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | H145 | MD 530F |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 352 | 216 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 9 | 3 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 4200 | 1509 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 480 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | EFIS | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 130 | 134 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $ 3,400,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 10 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 9 | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | Green Interior | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | 250-C30 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 894 | 650 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | — | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 35 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 44.8 | 32.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 13 | 8.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 36.1 | 27.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 166 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 46.8 | — |