Compare Airbus Helicopters H125 vs MD Helicopters MD 500E vs MD Helicopters MD 530F
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| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Type | H125 | MD 500E | MD 530F |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 3,400,000 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 398 | $ 480 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.59 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 135 | 134 |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 258 | 216 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 1483 | 1509 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Weights | |||
| MTOW (lbs) | 4960 | 3000 | 3100 |
| MTOW External Load (lbs) | 6172 | 3550 | 3750 |
| Max External Load (lbs) | 3086 | 2069 | 2159 |
| BEW (lbs) | 2816 | 1517 | 1591 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 1483 | 1509 |
| Fuel Capacity (lbs) | 858 | 403 | 403 |
| Useful Load Max Fuel (lbs) | 1551 | 1099 | 1125 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 26.4 | 27.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 30.9 | 32.2 |
| Engine | |||
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Model | Arriel 2D | 250-C20B | 250-C30 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 420 | 650 |
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 2000 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 64 | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | - | 35 | 35 |
| Avionics | |||
| Flight Deck | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Standby Instrument | Gyro / Analog | - | - |
| PFD | - | - | 1 |
| MFD | - | - | 1 |
| GPS | - | - | 1 |
| Transponder | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| VHF Com | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| VHF NAV | 1 | - | 1 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Other | |||
| Gear Type | High Skids | High Skids | High Skids |
| Rotorhead | 3-Blade Articulated | 5-Blade Articulated | 5-Blade Articulated |
| Tail Rotor | 2-Blade | 2-Blade | 2-Blade |
| Warranty | |||
| Pilot Training Credits | - | 1 | 1 |
| Airframe (Yrs) | - | 1 | 1 |
| Avionics (Yrs) | - | 2 | 2 |
| Performance | |||
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 135 | 134 |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | 130 | 135 | 134 |
| Max Speed (Vne) | 155 | - | - |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 258 | 216 |
| Range Seats Full (nm) | 336 | 258 | 216 |
| Endurance (hrs) | 4.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Max Climb Rate (fpm) | 1773 | 1770 | - |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | - | 16000 | 18700 |
| Hover IGE (ft) | 13250 | 11300 | 16000 |
| Hover OGE (ft) | 11150 | 9500 | 14400 |