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).
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 2.95 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | MD 500E | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 258 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 3 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 1483 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 2 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 398 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 135 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 3 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 2 | — |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | 250-C20B | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 420 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 64 | 29.5 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 35 | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 30.9 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 8.7 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 26.4 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 2.5 |