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Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e

By category, the Airbus H125, Bell 407GXi, Leonardo AW119Kx, and MD Helicopters MD 500E are primarily single‑engine light utility helicopters, generally optimized for simplicity and lower operating cost, while the Airbus H135 and Leonardo AW109 Grand New are twin‑engine light helicopters typically positioned for higher redundancy missions such as EMS, corporate, and IFR-capable operations. The Bell 505 JetRanger X is also a light single but usually considered the entry-level modern trainer/utility segment. The Leonardo SH09 is a light single still emerging in the market, broadly comparable in intent to the 505/H120 class. In typical range terms, the H125 and 407GXi tend to lead the single-engine group with longer legs, the AW119Kx is similar, and the 505 and MD 500E are usually shorter-range. Among twins, the AW109 Grand New and H135 are broadly comparable, with the AW109 often cited as notably strong on cruise/range for its class. For passenger capacity, the H135 and AW109 commonly seat about 6–7 passengers (plus pilots, layout dependent), the H125 and 407GXi often carry about 5–6, while the 505, MD 500E, and SH09 are typically around 4–5.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H135Bell 407GXiBell 505 JetRanger XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119KxAGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09MD Helicopters MD 500E
Summary
Cockpit22222222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 6.33$ 4.43$ 3.53$ 7.31$ 6.76$4.48$ 2.95
Min Crew11111111
Total Seats69658884
Flight RulesVFRIFRVFRVFRVFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoLeonardoLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125H135407GXi505 JetRanger XAW109 Grand NewAW119KxSH09MD 500E
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAIn-DevelopmentFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341342337306464515430258
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.79$ 0.74$ 0.71$ 0.91$ 0.84$0.56$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats5756663
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)21893124230015001483
Standard Cabin Seats47536662
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 861$ 589$ 441$ 1,140$ 885$627$ 398
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixGarmin G1000H NXIGarmin G1000HEFISGarmin G1000HEFISGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136136133125156131140135
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$6,150,000$3,225,000$1,445,000$ 7,800,000 $3,850,000 $3,500,000$ 2,750,000
Max Passengers7
Cabin
Cockpit22222222
Min Crew11111111
Total Seats69658884
Max Cabin Seats575663
Standard Cabin Seats47536662
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesYesDual-ChannelYesYesYesNo
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+M250-C47E/4Arrius 2RPW207CPT6B-37AHTS 900250-C20B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50004000350040004000450055003500
Horsepower8476608625057359171020420
No. of Engines12112111
Fuel Capacity (gal)143127.884.8515216064
Fuel Burn (gph)4632.335
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.533.541.442.4842.542.530.9
Overall Height (ft)1012.610.210.6511.511.98.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.134353735.535.526.4
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173125137
Width (ft)25.46.51
Cabin Width (ft)54.66
Cabin Height (ft)3.92.75
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)1618
Cabin Length (ft)7.17