AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor vs Md Helicopters Md 500e

Airbus Helicopters’ H125 and MD Helicopters’ MD 500E are light single‑engine rotorcraft typically used for utility, training, patrol, and aerial work; they usually carry about 4–6 passengers (depending on configuration) and offer roughly 300–400+ nautical miles of range, with the H125 generally providing more cabin/mission flexibility. The Bell 505 is also a light single, commonly configured for about 4 passengers (plus pilot), with a similar short‑to‑medium range profile around the low‑to‑mid 300‑nautical‑mile class. Airbus’ H135, Bell’s 429 GlobalRanger, and Leonardo’s AW109 Trekker are light twin‑engine helicopters aimed at EMS, corporate, and public‑service roles. They typically seat about 6–8 passengers in passenger layouts (or fewer for EMS), and ranges commonly fall in the ~300–450 nautical mile bracket, with the 429 and AW109 often positioned toward higher cruise speed and cabin performance in their class. Leonardo’s AW609 is a tiltrotor rather than a conventional helicopter, typically carrying around 6–9 passengers and offering substantially greater range—often around 700+ nautical miles—reflecting its airplane‑like cruise capability.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H135Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 505 JetRanger XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 TrekkerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 TiltrotorMD Helicopters MD 500E
Summary
Cockpit22222—2
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 6.33$ 6.29$ 3.53$ 7.40—$ 2.95
Min Crew11111—1
Total Seats69858—4
Flight RulesVFRIFRIFRVFRVFR—VFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125H135429 GlobalRanger505 JetRanger XAW109 TrekkerAW609 TiltrotorMD 500E
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA—FAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341342365306450—258
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.79$ 0.79$ 0.71$ 0.93—$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats576—6—3
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified—Un-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)2189312425351500——1483
Standard Cabin Seats47636—2
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 861$ 931$ 441$ 1,125—$ 398
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixBell BasiX-ProGarmin G1000HGenesys Aerosystems—Gyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136136148125152—135
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$6,150,000$7,500,000$1,445,000 $6,950,000 $20,000,000$ 2,750,000
Cabin
Cockpit22222—2
Min Crew11111—1
Total Seats69858—4
Max Cabin Seats576—6—3
Standard Cabin Seats47636—2
Configuration—Green Interior—————
Engine
FADECYesYesYesDual-ChannelYes—No
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+PW207D1Arrius 2RPW207C—250-C20B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel—JetFuel
TBO (hrs)50004000400040004000—3500
Horsepower8476601100505735—420
No. of Engines12212—1
Fuel Capacity (gal)143—216.984.85152—64
Fuel Burn (gph)——7632.3——35
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.533.54342.4842.5—30.9
Overall Height (ft)1012.613.2510.6511.5—8.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.134363735.5—26.4
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—173130137———
Width (ft)——26.376.51———
Cabin Width (ft)——54.66———
Cabin Height (ft)——42.75———
Cabin Length (ft)——6.587.17———
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)——7418———