Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Enstrom Helicotper 280fx Shark vs Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I vs Robinson Helicopters R66
All models listed are light helicopters, but they span piston, turbine, and a few specialized configurations. The Robinson R22 Beta II and Enstrom 280FX are piston-powered two-seat trainers with the shortest typical ranges. The Bell 505, Robinson R44 Raven I, Enstrom 480B-G, and MD 500E are light utility/family-size aircraft generally seating four to five, offering moderate range suitable for regional missions. The Robinson R66, Leonardo AW119Kx, Airbus H125, and MD 600N are larger light single-engine turbines (the MD 600N uses a NOTAR anti-torque system) typically configured for five to seven occupants depending on layout, and they generally provide longer range and better hot-and-high performance than piston types. The H125 and AW119Kx are commonly viewed at the top of this light-single utility class for payload and mission flexibility, with correspondingly strong range. The Leonardo SH09 is also a light single with seating typically around five to seven and range in the same general tier as other modern light turbines, depending on final configuration and fuel fit.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 600N | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R44 Raven I | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 3.53 | $ 6.76 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 4.06 | $ 1.80 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 505 JetRanger X | AW119Kx | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 600N | R22 Beta II | R44 Raven I | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 306 | 515 | 430 | 258 | 341 | 250 | 300 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.84 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.70 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 1500 | — | — | 1483 | 2000 | 490 | 950 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 441 | $ 885 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 545 | $ 173 | $ 248 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 125 | 131 | 140 | 135 | 134 | 96 | 108 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $1,445,000 | $3,850,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $3,400,000 | $ 312,000 | $ 412,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | 6 | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 3 |
| Engine | |||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2R | PT6B-37A | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | 250-C47 | O-360 | O-540 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4500 | 5500 | 3500 | 2000 | 2000 | 2200 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 505 | 917 | 1020 | 420 | 715 | 131 | 225 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 84.85 | 160 | — | 64 | 118 | 115 | 29.5 | 73.6 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 32.3 | — | — | 35 | 41 | — | — | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | — | — | — | Carbureted | Carbureted | — |
| Dimensions | |||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 42.48 | 42.5 | — | 30.9 | 36.9 | 28.5 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 10.65 | 11.9 | — | 8.7 | 9.7 | 8.8 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 37 | 35.5 | — | 26.4 | 27.5 | 25.2 | 33 | 33 |
| Width (ft) | — | 6.51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4.66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 2.75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 7.17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 137 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1.5 | 2.5 | — |