Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor
Airbus Helicopters’ H125 is a light single-engine utility helicopter, typically carrying about five to six passengers plus a pilot, with a practical range roughly in the 330–360 nm class depending on fit and reserves. Leonardo’s AW109 Trekker is a light twin aimed at faster point-to-point missions, generally seating six to seven passengers, with range commonly around 450–500 nm. The Leonardo AW119Kx is a light single optimized for cost and simplicity, usually accommodating about six passengers, with range broadly similar to the H125, roughly 300–350 nm. Moving up, the Leonardo AW169 is a larger intermediate twin that supports higher payload and cabin volume, typically seating eight to ten passengers, and offering range often around 440–500 nm. The Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor sits in a distinct category: it combines vertical lift with airplane-like cruise, typically seating six to nine passengers, and delivers the longest reach of this group, commonly around 700–1,000 nm depending on configuration and mission profile. Figures vary with avionics, fuel tanks, payload, and regulatory reserves.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 7.40 | $ 6.76 | $ 11.84 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 12 | — |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | AW109 Trekker | AW119Kx | AW169 | AW609 Tiltrotor |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 450 | 515 | 440 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.99 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | — | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 | 10 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 1,125 | $ 885 | $ 1,658 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Genesys Aerosystems | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | — |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 152 | 131 | 140 | — |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,950,000 | $3,850,000 | $9,450,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 12 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 | 10 | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PW207C | PT6B-37A | PW210A | — |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4500 | 4000 | — |
| Horsepower | 847 | 735 | 917 | 1000 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 152 | 160 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 48.1 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.5 | 11.9 | 14.8 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.5 | 35.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 222.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 49.5 | — |