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Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii

All four are light helicopters, but they split into single‑engine utility types and twin‑engine passenger/EMS types. The Airbus H125 and MD Helicopters MD 500E are single‑engine light utility helicopters typically used for aerial work, patrol, and general operations; the H125 is generally positioned as the more capable load‑and‑altitude performer, while the MD 500E is a lighter, agile light utility platform. The Robinson R44 Raven II is also single‑engine but is most commonly a light private/training/touring helicopter rather than a dedicated utility workhorse. The Airbus H135 is the outlier as a light twin‑engine helicopter, widely used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport, offering redundancy and smoother multi‑mission fit. In range, these aircraft broadly sit in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, with the H125 and H135 commonly offering longer practical reach than the smaller R44 and MD 500E depending on configuration and reserves. For passenger capacity, the R44 typically carries a pilot plus three passengers, the MD 500E is often configured around four to five seats, the H125 commonly seats about five to six, and the H135 is typically arranged for about six to seven passengers (or medical/cabin mission layouts).

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H135MD Helicopters MD 500EROBINSON R44 Raven II
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 6.33$ 2.95$ 2.36
Min Crew111
Total Seats6944
Flight RulesVFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersMD HelicotpersRobinson Helicopters
Aircraft NameH125H135MD 500ER44 Raven II
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341342258300
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.79$ 0.74$ 0.59
Max Cabin Seats573
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)218931241483995
Standard Cabin Seats472
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 861$ 398$ 257
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixGyro / AnalogGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136136135109
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$6,150,000$ 2,750,000$ 490,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats6944
Max Cabin Seats573
Standard Cabin Seats472
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesNoNo
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+250-C20BIO-540
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelAvGas
TBO (hrs)5000400035002200
Horsepower847660420245
No. of Engines1211
Fuel Capacity (gal)1436429.5
Fuel Burn (gph)35
TBO (yrs)12
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injected
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.533.530.938.3
Overall Height (ft)1012.68.710.8
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.13426.433
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)2.5