AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 530f

The Airbus H125 and MD 500E/MD 530F are primarily light single‑engine helicopters, typically chosen for utility, training, patrol, and aerial work. The H125 generally offers the most practical single‑engine cabin and lifting capability in this group, with a typical passenger load around five to six (plus pilot) and a mid‑range mission profile broadly in the ~300–350 nm class depending on configuration. The MD 500E and MD 530F are smaller, lighter singles, usually carrying about four passengers (plus pilot) with similar or somewhat shorter real‑world ranges, often around ~200–300 nm. The Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW109 GrandNew are light twin‑engine helicopters aimed more at IFR/EMS, corporate transport, and higher dispatch reliability. The H145 is typically the capacity leader here, commonly configured for seven to eight passengers (plus crew) with range often around ~300–350 nm. The AW109 GrandNew is usually set up for six to seven passengers (plus pilot(s)) and tends to emphasize speed, with range commonly in the ~400 nm class depending on tanks and fit.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H145AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewMD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 530F
Summary
Cockpit22222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 9.31$ 7.31$ 2.95$ 3.59
Min Crew11111
Total Seats610844
Flight RulesVFRIFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersLeonardoMD HelicotpersMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125H145AW109 Grand NewMD 500EMD 530F
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341352464258216
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.93$ 0.91$ 0.74$ 0.90
Max Cabin Seats59633
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)2189420014831509
Standard Cabin Seats48622
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 1,210$ 1,140$ 398$ 480
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HEFISEFISGyro / AnalogGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130156135134
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$10,200,000$ 7,800,000$ 2,750,000$ 3,400,000
Cabin
Cockpit22222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats610844
Max Cabin Seats59633
Standard Cabin Seats48622
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesYesNoNo
ModelArriel 2DArriel 2EPW207C250-C20B250-C30
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50004000400035002000
Horsepower847894735420650
No. of Engines12211
Fuel Capacity (gal)1431526464
Fuel Burn (gph)3535
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.544.842.530.932.2
Overall Height (ft)101311.58.78.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.136.135.526.427.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)166
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.8