Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Dassault Falcon 8x
The Airbus Helicopters H130 and the Dassault Falcon 8X sit in entirely different aircraft categories and are used for different mission profiles. The H130 is a single‑engine light helicopter intended for short‑range, point‑to‑point access where vertical takeoff and landing are essential, such as sightseeing, utility work, and quick transfers into locations without runways. Its typical practical range is on the order of a few hundred nautical miles (roughly 300–350 nm, depending on payload and conditions), and it generally carries one pilot plus up to six passengers in a high‑visibility cabin. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin, tri‑jet business aircraft designed for intercontinental travel between major airports. Its range is about 6,450 nm, enabling nonstop routes such as New York to Dubai in favorable conditions. Passenger capacity depends on interior layout, but it commonly seats around 12–16 passengers (with higher-density configurations possible) and is optimized for speed, comfort, and global reach rather than off‑airport access.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 7.66 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 6450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.64 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 3,805 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 10.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 29200 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PW307D |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 952 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 80.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 26.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 86.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 42.7 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 |