Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Beechcraft Kingair 250 vs Bell 407gxi
The Airbus Helicopters H125 and Bell 407GXi are single‑engine light utility helicopters suited to missions where simplicity and strong hot‑and‑high performance matter. The H125 typically carries a pilot plus about five passengers in a standard configuration and offers a practical range on the order of roughly 330–360 nautical miles depending on fit and reserves. The Bell 407GXi is in a similar category, commonly seating a pilot plus about five passengers, with a broadly comparable practical range around roughly 300–340 nautical miles. The Airbus Helicopters H135 is a twin‑engine light helicopter aimed more at EMS, corporate, and public‑service roles where redundancy, low vibration, and quieter operation are priorities. It generally accommodates a pilot plus about five to six passengers (or a medical interior), and its typical range is often in the roughly 330–350 nautical mile class. The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a pressurized twin‑turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft optimized for faster, longer point‑to‑point travel. It commonly seats six to nine passengers (plus crew) and has substantially greater range, typically around roughly 1,300–1,700 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | 407GXi |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 337 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 2300 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 589 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 133 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 862 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 127.8 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 46 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 41.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 10.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 35 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 125 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 25.4 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 3.9 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 16 |