Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 412epi vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
The Airbus H125 and MD 500E sit in the light single-engine utility category: both typically carry 1–2 pilots plus about 4–5 passengers with moderate range; the H125 generally offers stronger hot-and-high performance and useful load, while the 500E emphasizes agility. The Bell 407GXi and Leonardo AW119Kx are also light singles, usually configured for 1–2 pilots and about 5–6 passengers, with comparable medium-range capability; the 407GXi is often favored for speed and avionics, while the AW119Kx is valued for cabin volume and payload in its class. Moving up, the Leonardo AW109 Grand New is a light twin aimed at VIP/EMS, typically carrying 1–2 pilots plus about 6–7 passengers with medium range. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin known for its NOTAR system, commonly around 1–2 pilots plus 6–7 passengers with similar medium-range missions. The Leonardo AW169 is a modern intermediate twin with higher capacity, often 1–2 pilots plus about 8–10 passengers and longer range than light twins. The Bell 412EPi is a medium twin with robust lift, typically 1–2 pilots plus about 10–13 passengers and medium-to-long range. The Leonardo SH09 is a light single in development, expected to sit near the H125/407 class with similar passenger counts and range.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 412EPi | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 4.43 | $ 12.09 | $ 7.31 | $ 6.76 | $ 11.84 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 407GXi | 412EPi | AW109 Grand New | AW119Kx | AW169 | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 337 | 361 | 464 | 515 | 440 | 430 | 258 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.99 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2300 | 4829 | — | — | — | — | 1483 | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 589 | $ 1,487 | $ 1,140 | $ 885 | $ 1,658 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 123 | 156 | 131 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,225,000 | $ 12,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $3,850,000 | $9,450,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 10 | — | 3 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Engine | |||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | M250-C47E/4 | PT6T-9 | PW207C | PT6B-37A | PW210A | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 862 | 1370 | 735 | 917 | 1000 | 1020 | 420 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 127.8 | 330.5 | 152 | 160 | — | — | 64 | 159 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | 113 | — | — | — | — | 35 | 65 |
| Dimensions | |||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.4 | 52.1 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 48.1 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 10.2 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.9 | 14.8 | — | 8.7 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35 | 46 | 35.5 | 35.5 | — | — | 26.4 | 33.9 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 125 | 220 | — | — | 222.5 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | 28 | — | — | 49.5 | — | — | — |