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Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor vs Md Helicopters Md 500e

In category, the Airbus H130, Bell 505 JetRanger X, Leonardo AW119Kx, and MD 500E are single‑engine light helicopters, generally favored for lower operating costs and utility/tour missions. The Airbus H135 and Leonardo AW109 Trekker are light twin‑engine helicopters, typically chosen for higher redundancy and demanding EMS/corporate profiles. The Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor, bridging helicopter and airplane roles with higher cruise speed and a different operational niche. For range, the AW609 is in a higher class than the others, commonly offering the longest legs (roughly 700+ nm, configuration dependent). Among conventional helicopters, the H135 and AW109 Trekker are typically in the mid range (often around 300–400+ nm), while the H130 and AW119Kx tend to be similar or slightly higher than many light singles depending on tanks and payload (often ~300–400 nm). The Bell 505 and MD 500E generally sit toward the shorter end of this group (often ~250–350 nm). Passenger capacity (excluding pilots) is usually highest for the H130 at up to 7, with H135 and AW109 Trekker commonly around 5–6, the AW119Kx around 6, the AW609 around 6–9 depending on layout, and the Bell 505 and MD 500E typically around 4.

SpecAIRBUS H130AIRBUS H135Bell 505 JetRanger XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 TrekkerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119KxAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 TiltrotorMD Helicopters MD 500E
Summary
Cockpit32222—2
DOC / nm$ 5.00$ 6.33$ 3.53$ 7.40$ 6.76—$ 2.95
Min Crew11111—1
Total Seats79588—4
Flight RulesVFRIFRVFRVFRVFR—VFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoLeonardoLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH130H135505 JetRanger XAW109 TrekkerAW119KxAW609 TiltrotorMD 500E
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA—FAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)333342306450515—258
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.71$ 0.79$ 0.71$ 0.93$ 0.84—$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats57—66—3
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified—Un-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)229931241500———1483
Standard Cabin Seats47366—2
Direct Operating Cost$ 640$ 861$ 441$ 1,125$ 885—$ 398
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixGarmin G1000HGenesys AerosystemsGarmin G1000H—Gyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)128136125152131—135
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,450,000$6,150,000$1,445,000 $6,950,000 $3,850,000 $20,000,000$ 2,750,000
Cabin
Cockpit32222—2
Min Crew11111—1
Total Seats79588—4
Max Cabin Seats57—66—3
Standard Cabin Seats47366—2
Configuration—Green Interior—————
Engine
FADECYesYesDual-ChannelYesYes—No
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+Arrius 2RPW207CPT6B-37A—250-C20B
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel—JetFuel
TBO (hrs)50004000400040004500—3500
Horsepower952660505735917—420
No. of Engines12121—1
Fuel Capacity (gal)143—84.85152160—64
Fuel Burn (gph)——32.3———35
Dimensions
Length (ft)41.533.542.4842.542.5—30.9
Overall Height (ft)11.112.610.6511.511.9—8.7
Rotor Diameter (ft)35.1343735.535.5—26.4
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—173137————
Width (ft)——6.51————
Cabin Width (ft)——4.66————
Cabin Height (ft)——2.75————
Cabin Length (ft)——7.17————
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)——18————