Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Curti Zefhir vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus H125 is a single‑engine light utility helicopter, typically carrying about 5–6 passengers with a mid‑range profile (roughly 600 km class, mission‑dependent). The Airbus H145 is a twin‑engine light helicopter in a higher category, usually seating about 7–9 passengers with a similar-to-better practical range (often around 600–700 km). Bell’s 429 GlobalRanger is also a light twin, commonly configured for 6–7 passengers, with range generally in the 600–700 km bracket. The Curti Zefhir is a very light helicopter, typically 1 passenger (often flown as 2 seats including pilot) and short range compared with the others. Leonardo’s AW109 Grand New is a light twin executive/utility type, usually 6–7 passengers, with range often in the 800+ km class; the AW109 Trekker is a modernized light twin with similar seating (about 6–7) and comparable range. The Leonardo AW119Kx is a single‑engine light helicopter, typically 6–7 passengers with range around 600+ km. The Leonardo SH09 is a light single under development/early market, generally expected around 4–5 passengers and mid‑range. Robinson’s R44 Raven I and II are light single‑engine helicopters, typically 3 passengers, with range roughly in the 500–600 km class.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Curti Zefhir | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | ROBINSON R44 Raven I | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | — | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 | $ 6.76 | $4.48 | $ 2.30 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | — | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Curti | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | Zefhir | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker | AW119Kx | SH09 | R44 Raven I | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 352 | 365 | 319 | 464 | 450 | 515 | 430 | 300 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | — | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.84 | $0.56 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | — | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 4200 | 2535 | — | — | — | — | — | 950 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | — | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 | $ 885 | $627 | $ 248 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | — | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | — | 156 | 152 | 131 | 140 | 108 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $58,823 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 | $3,850,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 412,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 8 | — | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | — | PW207C | PW207C | PT6B-37A | HTS 900 | O-540 | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | — | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 | 5500 | 2200 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 894 | 1100 | — | 735 | 735 | 917 | 1020 | 225 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 216.9 | — | 152 | 152 | 160 | — | 29.5 | 29.5 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Carbureted | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 44.8 | 43 | — | 42.5 | 42.5 | 42.5 | — | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 13 | 13.25 | — | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.9 | — | 10.8 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36.1 | 36 | — | 35.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 | — | 33 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 166 | 130 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.5 | 2.5 |