Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Enstrom Helicopter 280fx Shark vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus H125 sits in the light single-engine utility category, typically offering the longest practical reach in this group (around 330–350 nm depending on configuration) and usually seating a pilot plus up to five or six passengers depending on cabin layout and weight limits. The Airbus H135 is a light twin-engine helicopter aimed at EMS, corporate, and IFR-capable missions; it generally carries a pilot plus five to six passengers, with a typical range around 300–340 nm. The Bell 505 is a light single-engine turbine in the training/light utility class, commonly configured for a pilot plus up to four passengers, with range roughly 300–340 nm. The Enstrom 280FX is a piston-powered light helicopter often used for training and patrol; it typically seats a pilot plus two passengers and has a shorter range, commonly about 200–300 nm. The Leonardo AW109 GrandNew is a light twin in the VIP/EMS space, usually seating one to two pilots plus five to six passengers, with range often around 400 nm. The Robinson R44 Raven II is a light piston helicopter, typically carrying a pilot plus three passengers, with range commonly around 300 nm.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | Enstrom Helicopter 280FX Shark | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 3.53 | $ 1.98 | $ 7.31 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Enstrom Helicopter | Leonardo | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | 505 JetRanger X | 280FX Shark | AW109 Grand New | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 306 | 229 | 464 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.66 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | — | — | 6 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 1500 | 930 | — | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 3 | — | 6 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 441 | $ 198 | $ 1,140 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | EFIS | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 125 | 100 | 156 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 560,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | — | — | 6 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 3 | — | 6 | — |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | No | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | Arrius 2R | HI0-360-F1AD | PW207C | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 1500 | 4000 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 505 | 225 | 735 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 84.85 | 40 | 152 | 29.5 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 | — | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Fuel Injected | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 42.48 | 29.3 | 42.5 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 10.65 | 9 | 11.5 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 37 | 32 | 35.5 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 137 | — | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 6.51 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.66 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 2.75 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 7.17 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 18 | 6 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 2.5 |