Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Bell 407gxi vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan
The Airbus Helicopters H125 and Bell 407GXi are single‑engine light helicopters, while the Cessna Turbo Stationair (Turbo 206) and Cessna Caravan are single‑engine fixed‑wing utility airplanes. In range terms, the helicopters are generally shorter‑legged: an H125 is typically in the roughly 330–360 nm class, and a 407GXi is usually around 330–370 nm depending on configuration and reserves. The Turbo Stationair commonly offers a longer point‑to‑point range than either helicopter, often around 550–650 nm, making it more suitable for longer cross‑country trips. The Caravan is designed for heavier utility hauling and can deliver roughly 700–900 nm range depending on variant, payload, and fuel settings. For passenger capacity, the H125 is typically configured for about 5–6 passengers plus a pilot, and the 407GXi for about 5–6 plus a pilot. The Turbo Stationair generally carries about 5–6 passengers plus a pilot. The Caravan usually seats more, commonly 9–14 passengers, reflecting its role as a higher‑capacity utility and commuter aircraft.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Bell 407GXi | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 4.43 | $ 1.08 | $ 3.07 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 407GXi | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 337 | 703 | 1070 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2300 | — | 3305 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 589 | $ 174 | $ 571 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H NXI | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 161 | 186 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,225,000 | $745,000 | $2,355,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | — | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | — | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | No |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | M250-C47E/4 | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 2000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 862 | 350 | 675 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 127.8 | 87 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 31 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.4 | 28.3 | 37.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 10.2 | 9.4 | 15 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 3.6 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 125 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 36 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 12.1 | 12.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 11 | 32 |