Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 530f
All four are light, single‑engine helicopters, but they sit in slightly different niches. The Airbus Helicopters H125 is a proven light utility aircraft known for strong high‑hot performance and broad mission flexibility; typical range is roughly in the 330–350 nm class, and it commonly carries 5–6 passengers plus a pilot (depending on seating and weight). The Leonardo AW119Kx is a light single with a larger cabin feel and is often positioned for corporate/VIP and utility work; range is typically around the mid‑300 nm class, and seating is commonly up to 6 passengers plus a pilot. The Leonardo SH09 is a newer‑generation light single aimed at modern ops and training/utility roles; published targets/configurations indicate about 4–6 passengers plus a pilot, with range generally in the low‑to‑mid‑300 nm class depending on fit. The MD Helicopters MD 530F is a lighter, more compact utility/scout‑type helicopter; it typically carries about 3–4 passengers plus a pilot, and range is usually around the ~200–300 nm class depending on tanks and mission.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 530F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.76 | $4.48 | $ 3.59 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | AW119Kx | SH09 | MD 530F |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 515 | 430 | 216 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.84 | $0.56 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | — | — | 1509 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 885 | $627 | $ 480 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 131 | 140 | 134 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,850,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 3,400,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | 7 | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | — | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PT6B-37A | HTS 900 | 250-C30 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4500 | 5500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 917 | 1020 | 650 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 160 | — | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 35 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 42.5 | — | 32.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.9 | — | 8.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.5 | — | 27.5 |