Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Bell 407gxi vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e
All five are single‑engine light helicopters, but they span different missions and cabin sizes. The Airbus Helicopters H125 is the most “utility and high/hot” oriented, typically offering one of the best practical ranges in this group and a spacious cabin that commonly seats a pilot plus up to five or six passengers depending on configuration. The Bell 407GXi is a fast, smooth‑flying light single often positioned for corporate, EMS, and public‑service work; its range is broadly comparable to the H125, with typical seating around a pilot plus five passengers. The Leonardo AW119Kx targets premium single‑engine operations with strong useful load; it’s generally at the top end for passenger capacity in the class, commonly arranged for a pilot plus six passengers, with competitive range. The Leonardo SH09 is a newer‑generation light single aimed at modern utility and training roles; it is typically in the pilot plus four to five passenger bracket with a mid‑pack range. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is the most compact and agility‑focused, usually carrying fewer passengers (often pilot plus three to four) and offering shorter range than the larger‑cabin models.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Bell 407GXi | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 4.43 | $ 6.76 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 407GXi | AW119Kx | SH09 | MD 500E |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 337 | 515 | 430 | 258 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.84 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2300 | — | — | 1483 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 589 | $ 885 | $627 | $ 398 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H NXI | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 131 | 140 | 135 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,225,000 | $3,850,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | 7 | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 6 | — | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | M250-C47E/4 | PT6B-37A | HTS 900 | 250-C20B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 4500 | 5500 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 862 | 917 | 1020 | 420 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 127.8 | 160 | — | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | — | — | 35 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.4 | 42.5 | — | 30.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 10.2 | 11.9 | — | 8.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35 | 35.5 | — | 26.4 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 125 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | — | — | — |