Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X
The Airbus Helicopters H130, Airbus Helicopters H145, and Bell 505 JetRanger X sit in different light-helicopter niches. The Bell 505 is a light single-engine aircraft typically used for training, private flying, and light utility work; it generally carries a pilot plus up to four passengers, and its practical range is in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles depending on fuel and reserves. The Airbus H130 is also a single-engine helicopter but geared more toward passenger comfort and tourism/VIP missions, with a larger cabin than the 505; it commonly seats a pilot plus up to six or seven passengers and offers a similar mid-hundreds-of-nautical-miles class range. The Airbus H145 is a twin-engine helicopter in a higher utility category, favored for EMS, law enforcement, and offshore/utility roles; it typically carries one or two pilots plus around eight to nine passengers (or mission equipment), and while range varies widely by fit and tanks, it is generally comparable to or somewhat greater than the single-engine types, again in the mid-hundreds-of-nautical-miles bracket.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 505 JetRanger X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 9.31 | $ 3.53 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 10 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H145 | 505 JetRanger X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 352 | 306 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.71 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 4200 | 1500 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 1,210 | $ 441 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | EFIS | Garmin G1000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 130 | 125 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $10,200,000 | $1,445,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 10 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2E | Arrius 2R |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 894 | 505 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 84.85 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 44.8 | 42.48 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 13 | 10.65 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 36.1 | 37 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 166 | 137 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 18 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 6.51 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.66 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 2.75 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 7.17 |