AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor

The Airbus Helicopters H125 is a light single‑engine utility helicopter, typically used for tourism, patrol, and external‑load work; it generally carries about 5–6 passengers (plus pilot) with a practical range in the roughly 330–360 nm class depending on fit and reserves. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is a light twin suited to corporate and EMS roles, usually seating about 6–7 passengers, with range commonly around 450–500+ nm. The Leonardo AW169 is a larger intermediate twin designed for EMS, offshore, and VIP transport; it typically accommodates about 8–10 passengers, offering range often around 400–450+ nm, again varying with tanks and payload. The Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor rather than a conventional helicopter, combining vertical takeoff with airplane‑like cruise; it is generally configured for about 6–9 passengers and targets substantially longer range than the helicopters, commonly cited around 700+ nm, with much higher cruise speed, making it the best fit of these for longer point‑to‑point missions where time and distance matter most.

SpecAIRBUS H125AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 TrekkerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor
Summary
Cockpit222—
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 7.40$ 11.84—
Min Crew111—
Total Seats6812—
Flight RulesVFRVFRIFR—
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersLeonardoLeonardoLeonardo
Aircraft NameH125AW109 TrekkerAW169AW609 Tiltrotor
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA—
Max Range (nm)341450440—
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.93$ 0.99—
Max Cabin Seats5610—
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified—
Useful Load (lbs)2189———
Standard Cabin Seats4610—
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 1,125$ 1,658—
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGenesys AerosystemsEFIS—
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136152140—
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000 $6,950,000 $9,450,000 $20,000,000
Cabin
Cockpit222—
Min Crew111—
Total Seats6812—
Max Cabin Seats5610—
Standard Cabin Seats4610—
Engine
FADECYesYesYes—
ModelArriel 2DPW207CPW210A—
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel—
TBO (hrs)500040004000—
Horsepower8477351000—
No. of Engines122—
Fuel Capacity (gal)143152——
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.542.548.1—
Overall Height (ft)1011.514.8—
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.135.5——
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)——222.5—
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)——49.5—