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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 412EPi | 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 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 4.43 | $ 12.09 | $ 6.76 | $ 11.84 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 407GXi | 412EPi | AW119Kx | AW169 | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 337 | 361 | 515 | 440 | 430 | 258 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.99 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | 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 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 589 | $ 1,487 | $ 885 | $ 1,658 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 123 | 131 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 131 |
| 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 Passengers | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 10 | — | 3 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | M250-C47E/4 | PT6T-9 | PT6B-37A | PW210A | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4500 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 862 | 1370 | 917 | 1000 | 1020 | 420 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 127.8 | 330.5 | 160 | — | — | 64 | 159 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | 113 | — | — | — | 35 | 65 |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.4 | 52.1 | 42.5 | 48.1 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 10.2 | 11.5 | 11.9 | 14.8 | — | 8.7 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35 | 46 | 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 | — | — | — |