Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor
The Airbus Helicopters H125 is a single‑engine light utility helicopter, typically used for missions like short‑to‑medium range transport, aerial work, and operations in hot‑and‑high environments. Its practical range is generally in the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on configuration, and it usually carries around five to six passengers plus a pilot (with layouts varying by mission equipment and weight limits). The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is a light twin‑engine helicopter positioned more toward fast executive transport and multi‑mission utility work. Compared with the H125 it commonly offers a similar passenger count but in a more refined cabin, with a comparable or somewhat longer typical range, again generally in the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on fuel and payload. The Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor, bridging helicopters and turboprops: it can take off and land vertically but cruises much faster and usually farther than conventional light helicopters. It is typically configured for roughly six to nine passengers, and its range is commonly cited as longer than the H125 and AW109 class, extending into higher‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on reserves and payload.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 7.40 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | — |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | AW109 Trekker | AW609 Tiltrotor |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 450 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.93 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 1,125 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Genesys Aerosystems | — |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 152 | — |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,950,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | — |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PW207C | — |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | — |
| Horsepower | 847 | 735 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 152 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 42.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.5 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.5 | — |