Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Airbus Helicopters H130 and H135 are single- and twin-engine light helicopters designed for short to medium missions, while the Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop airplane built for longer regional travel. In category, the H130 is a light single-engine helicopter optimized for tourism, private transport, and utility work; the H135 is a light twin-engine helicopter favored for missions that benefit from redundancy, such as HEMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttle; the PC‑12 NGX is a pressurized fixed‑wing aircraft oriented toward business and special-mission operations with higher cruise speed and altitude. In range, both helicopters typically operate in the few-hundred‑nautical‑mile class depending on configuration and reserves, whereas the PC‑12 NGX is roughly in the ~1,500+ nautical mile class, enabling true city‑pair trips without stops more often. In passenger capacity, the H130 commonly carries a pilot plus about six passengers, the H135 typically seats a pilot plus around five to six passengers (or mission equipment), and the PC‑12 NGX generally carries one to two pilots plus up to about eight to nine passengers in executive layouts.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H135 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 342 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 3124 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 136 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — |
| Lavatory | — | — | Optional |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 13100 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 660 | 1200 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 33.5 | 47.25 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 12.6 | 14 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 34 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 16.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 4.25 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 40 |