Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 530f
The Airbus Helicopters H125 is a modern, single‑engine light utility helicopter typically positioned for broader mission flexibility and higher useful load. In general comparisons, it tends to offer the longest range of the three and the highest practical passenger capacity, commonly seating a pilot plus up to five or six passengers depending on configuration and weight limits. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a lighter, compact single‑engine helicopter often optimized for speed, agility, and lower operating footprint rather than maximum cabin volume. Its typical passenger capacity is smaller than the H125, commonly a pilot plus four passengers, and its range is generally shorter than the H125, with real‑world endurance varying strongly by fuel fit, payload, and operating conditions. The MD Helicopters MD 530F is an uprated, “hot‑and‑high” capable evolution of the 500 series. It is usually comparable to the MD 500E in seating (often pilot plus four), but is generally favored for performance in demanding environments; range is often similar to or slightly better than the 500E depending on configuration, and still typically below the H125.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 530F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 2.95 | $ 3.59 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | MD 500E | MD 530F |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 258 | 216 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 1483 | 1509 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 398 | $ 480 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 135 | 134 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $ 3,400,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | 250-C20B | 250-C30 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 420 | 650 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 64 | 64 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 35 | 35 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 30.9 | 32.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 26.4 | 27.5 |