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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.

SpecAIRBUS H125MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 530F
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 2.95$ 3.59
Min Crew111
Total Seats644
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersMD HelicotpersMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH125MD 500EMD 530F
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341258216
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.74$ 0.90
Max Cabin Seats533
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)218914831509
Standard Cabin Seats422
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 398$ 480
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGyro / AnalogGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136135134
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$ 2,750,000$ 3,400,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats644
Max Cabin Seats533
Standard Cabin Seats422
Engine
FADECYesNoNo
ModelArriel 2D250-C20B250-C30
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)500035002000
Horsepower847420650
No. of Engines111
Fuel Capacity (gal)1436464
Fuel Burn (gph)3535
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.530.932.2
Overall Height (ft)108.78.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.126.427.5