AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 412epi vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer

By category, the MD 500E and Airbus H125 are light single‑engine utility helicopters, with the H125 optimized for high/hot performance and external load work. The Bell 407GXi and Leonardo AW119Kx are also light singles but skew more toward fast, smooth corporate and public‑service missions. The MD 902 Explorer remains in the light class yet is twin‑engine and typically positioned for EMS and law‑enforcement roles where redundancy is valued. Moving up, the Leonardo AW169 is a light‑intermediate twin suited to offshore, EMS, and VIP transport, while the Bell 412EPi is a medium twin built for higher payloads and multi‑role utility/crew transport; the Leonardo SH09 is a modern light twin in a similar general segment to the 902/entry twin market. Range generally increases from the smallest light singles (MD 500E) to the H125/407GXi/AW119Kx bracket, and is highest among the larger twins (AW169 and 412EPi), with the 902 and SH09 typically mid‑pack for twins. Passenger capacity is usually about 4–6 in light singles, around 7–8 for the 407GXi/AW119Kx/H125 in high‑density layouts, roughly 8–10 for light twins like the 902/SH09, and about 8–13 for the AW169 and 412EPi depending on configuration.

SpecAIRBUS H125Bell 407GXiBell 412EPiAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119KxAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit22222222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 4.43$ 12.09$ 6.76$ 11.84$4.48$ 2.95$ 7.54
Min Crew11111111
Total Seats6614812848
Flight RulesVFRVFRIFRVFRIFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoLeonardoLeonardoMD HelicotpersMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125407GXi412EPiAW119KxAW169SH09MD 500EMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAIn-DevelopmentFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341337361515440430258317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.74$ 0.86$ 0.84$ 0.99$0.56$ 0.74$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats5513610636
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)21892300482914833125
Standard Cabin Seats4513610626
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 589$ 1,487$ 885$ 1,658$627$ 398$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGarmin G1000H NXIBell BasiX-ProGarmin G1000HEFISEFISGyro / AnalogGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136133123131140140135131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$3,225,000$ 12,500,000 $3,850,000 $9,450,000 $3,500,000$ 2,750,000 $7,250,000
Max Passengers7
Cabin
Cockpit22222222
Min Crew11111111
Total Seats6614812848
Max Cabin Seats551361036
Standard Cabin Seats4513610626
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
ModelArriel 2DM250-C47E/4PT6T-9PT6B-37APW210AHTS 900250-C20BPW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50003500400045004000550035004000
Horsepower847862137091710001020420710
No. of Engines11212112
Fuel Capacity (gal)143127.8330.516064159
Fuel Burn (gph)461133565
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.541.452.142.548.130.940.6
Overall Height (ft)1010.211.511.914.88.712
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.1354635.526.433.9
Width (ft)25.433
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)3.9
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)125220222.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)162849.5