Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Airbus Helicopters H125 and H145 are light helicopters, while the Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing airplane used for regional transport and business aviation. In category terms, the H125 is a light single‑engine utility helicopter optimized for external load, high/hot performance, and simple operations; the H145 is a larger light twin‑engine helicopter oriented toward passenger transport, EMS, and missions benefiting from twin‑engine redundancy; the PC‑12 NGX is a pressurized, high‑performance turboprop designed for longer point‑to‑point flights from paved or short/rough runways. For range, the helicopters are generally shorter‑legged than the PC‑12: the H125 typically operates in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, the H145 is broadly similar but mission‑dependent, while the PC‑12 NGX commonly delivers well over 1,500 nautical miles with reserves, making it the clear leader for distance. For passenger capacity, the H125 is usually configured for about five to six passengers plus a pilot, the H145 commonly seats around seven to nine passengers plus crew depending on layout, and the PC‑12 NGX typically carries six to eight passengers in executive seating (up to nine in some configurations) plus one or two pilots.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H145 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 9.31 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H145 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 352 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 4200 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 1,210 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | EFIS | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $10,200,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — |
| Lavatory | — | — | Optional |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 13100 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2E | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 894 | 1200 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 44.8 | 47.25 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 13 | 14 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36.1 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 166 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 16.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 4.25 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 40 |