Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus Helicopters H125 sits in the light single-engine utility category, typically carrying about 5 to 6 passengers (plus pilot) depending on configuration, with a practical range on the order of roughly 330–360 nm. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light twin-engine helicopter aimed at EMS/corporate roles, usually accommodating 6 to 7 passengers (plus crew) and offering a longer typical range around about 380–410 nm. The Leonardo SH09 (A109 family) is a light twin in the corporate/utility class, commonly configured for about 6 to 7 passengers, with range varying by variant but generally around roughly 350–430 nm. The Robinson R22 Beta II is a very light two-seat trainer helicopter (1 passenger plus pilot) with a shorter typical range around roughly 190–220 nm. The Robinson R44 Raven II is a light single-engine four-seat helicopter (up to 3 passengers plus pilot) with a typical range around roughly 300–350 nm. Overall, the twins (Bell 429 and SH09/A109) prioritize multi-engine capability and cabin utility, while the Robinsons prioritize simplicity and cost, and the H125 emphasizes single-engine lift and high/hot performance.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.29 | $4.48 | $ 1.80 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 429 GlobalRanger | SH09 | R22 Beta II | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 365 | 430 | 250 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $0.56 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2535 | — | 490 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 931 | $627 | $ 173 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 148 | 140 | 96 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 312,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PW207D1 | HTS 900 | O-360 | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 5500 | 2000 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 1100 | 1020 | 131 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 216.9 | — | 115 | 29.5 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Carbureted | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 43 | — | 28.5 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 13.25 | — | 8.8 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | — | 25.2 | 33 |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 130 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 1.5 | 2.5 |