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Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Md Helicopters Md 500e

The Airbus Helicopters H125 and the Enstrom 480B-G are both light single‑engine utility helicopters, while the MD Helicopters MD 500E is a lighter, high‑agility single‑engine helicopter often associated with training, patrol, and light utility roles. In passenger capacity, the H125 typically offers the most usable cabin volume and is commonly configured for one pilot plus up to five or six occupants depending on interior and mission fit, making it the strongest choice when carrying more people or mixed passengers and gear. The Enstrom 480B-G is generally arranged for one pilot plus four passengers, favoring comfort and stability over maximum seating. The MD 500E usually seats one pilot plus four passengers, with a more compact cabin than the H125. On range, all three are broadly comparable for local and regional missions, but the H125 often leads in practical mission radius due to common fuel/capability configurations, with typical figures roughly in the 300–350 nautical mile class, while the 480B-G and MD 500E more often fall around the 250–330 nautical mile class depending heavily on fuel tanks, payload, and reserves.

SpecAIRBUS H125MD Helicopters MD 500E
Summary
Cockpit22
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 2.95
Min Crew11
Total Seats64
Flight RulesVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125MD 500E
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341258
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats53
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)21891483
Standard Cabin Seats42
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 398
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136135
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$ 2,750,000
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew11
Total Seats64
Max Cabin Seats53
Standard Cabin Seats42
Engine
FADECYesNo
ModelArriel 2D250-C20B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50003500
Horsepower847420
No. of Engines11
Fuel Capacity (gal)14364
Fuel Burn (gph)35
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.530.9
Overall Height (ft)108.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.126.4