Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Sh09
All five are single‑pilot capable light helicopters, but they span two main categories. The Airbus H130, Bell 407GXi, Leonardo AW119Kx, and Leonardo SH09 are light single‑engine utility/tour helicopters, while the Airbus H135 is a light twin‑engine helicopter typically chosen when redundancy, IFR capability, or higher mission assurance is prioritized. In passenger capacity, the H130 generally offers the most seats in this set, commonly configured for about six to seven passengers. The H135 typically carries around five to six passengers depending on layout and equipment. The 407GXi and AW119Kx are usually arranged for about five to six passengers, with configurations varying by operator. The SH09 (in its initial market positioning) targets a similar light single‑engine segment, commonly aiming at roughly four to six passenger seating depending on cabin fit. For range, these aircraft are broadly comparable in typical operations, with most offering several hundred nautical miles of reach; the single‑engine models often land in a similar band, while the H135’s range is also in that general neighborhood but can vary noticeably with fuel, cabin equipment, and mission profile.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 6.76 | $4.48 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H135 | 407GXi | AW119Kx | SH09 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 342 | 337 | 515 | 430 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.84 | $0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 3124 | 2300 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 885 | $627 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Garmin G1000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 136 | 133 | 131 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $3,850,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | 7 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PT6B-37A | HTS 900 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 4500 | 5500 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 660 | 862 | 917 | 1020 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 127.8 | 160 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 46 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 33.5 | 41.4 | 42.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 12.6 | 10.2 | 11.9 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 34 | 35 | 35.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 125 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 25.4 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 3.9 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 16 | — | — |