AIR.ONE

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

The Airbus H125 is a single‑engine utility helicopter in the light class, typically carrying 1–2 pilots plus about 5–6 passengers, with a moderate range suited to regional missions. The Airbus H135 is a twin‑engine light helicopter aimed at EMS, corporate, and law‑enforcement roles; it generally carries 1–2 pilots plus around 5–6 passengers, and offers similar to slightly better practical range with added redundancy. Bell’s 505 JetRanger X is a light single‑engine aircraft positioned for training and private/corporate use, usually 1 pilot plus about 4 passengers, with range comparable to other light singles. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is a larger, faster light twin for executive and utility work, commonly configured for 1–2 pilots plus about 6–7 passengers, with a longer range than most light singles and many light twins. The Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor rather than a conventional helicopter, optimized for higher cruise speed and longer legs; it typically seats 1–2 pilots plus about 6–9 passengers and offers the greatest range of this group. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a light single with a smaller cabin, often 1–2 pilots plus about 3–4 passengers, with a relatively shorter range.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H135Bell 505 JetRanger XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 TrekkerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 TiltrotorMD Helicopters MD 500E
Summary
Cockpit2222—2
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 6.33$ 3.53$ 7.40—$ 2.95
Min Crew1111—1
Total Seats6958—4
Flight RulesVFRIFRVFRVFR—VFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125H135505 JetRanger XAW109 TrekkerAW609 TiltrotorMD 500E
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA—FAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341342306450—258
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.79$ 0.71$ 0.93—$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats57—6—3
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-Verified—Un-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)218931241500——1483
Standard Cabin Seats4736—2
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 861$ 441$ 1,125—$ 398
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixGarmin G1000HGenesys Aerosystems—Gyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136136125152—135
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$6,150,000$1,445,000 $6,950,000 $20,000,000$ 2,750,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222—2
Min Crew1111—1
Total Seats6958—4
Max Cabin Seats57—6—3
Standard Cabin Seats4736—2
Configuration—Green Interior————
Engine
FADECYesYesDual-ChannelYes—No
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+Arrius 2RPW207C—250-C20B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel—JetFuel
TBO (hrs)5000400040004000—3500
Horsepower847660505735—420
No. of Engines1212—1
Fuel Capacity (gal)143—84.85152—64
Fuel Burn (gph)——32.3——35
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.533.542.4842.5—30.9
Overall Height (ft)1012.610.6511.5—8.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.1343735.5—26.4
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—173137———
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———