Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan
The Airbus Helicopters H125 is a single‑engine light utility helicopter, typically used for aerial work, EMS support, and short‑hop passenger transport where vertical takeoff and landing matters more than distance. Its practical range is generally in the few‑hundred‑mile class (often roughly 300–400 nm depending on fuel and mission fit), and it commonly carries a pilot plus about 5 passengers, with seating and payload varying by configuration and conditions. The Cessna Turbo Stationair (pressurized piston/turboprop conversions exist, but the common “Turbo” Stationair is a high‑wing, single‑engine piston airplane) is a general aviation utility aircraft aimed at personal, business, and rugged backcountry travel. It typically carries about 4–6 people and offers a similar or somewhat better range than the helicopter for point‑to‑point trips, often around 500–800 nm depending on model, power setting, and load. The Cessna Caravan is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for payload and simple logistics. It generally seats around 9–14 (commuter layout often 9), with range commonly around 900–1,000+ nm depending on variant and payload.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 1.08 | $ 3.07 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 703 | 1070 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | — | 3305 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 174 | $ 571 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 161 | 186 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $745,000 | $2,355,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 2000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 350 | 675 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 87 | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 31 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 28.3 | 37.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 9.4 | 15 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 36 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 3.6 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 12.1 | 12.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 11 | 32 |