Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
The Airbus Helicopters H130 is a single‑engine light helicopter typically positioned for passenger shuttle, tourism, and utility work, offering a practical cabin size for about six passengers plus a pilot, with a generally mid‑to‑upper range among light singles depending on fuel configuration and reserves. The Leonardo AW119Kx is also a single‑engine light helicopter but tends to emphasize performance margins and useful load, commonly seating about six passengers plus a pilot as well, and it is often cited with comparatively strong range figures in its class when configured for longer legs. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin‑engine helicopter, generally chosen when operators value twin‑engine redundancy and a more stable platform for corporate, public service, or specialized missions; it typically accommodates about seven passengers plus a pilot, and its range is broadly comparable to other light twins, often competitive but mission‑ and reserve‑dependent. Overall, H130 and AW119Kx align as light single‑engine passenger/utility types with similar typical capacity, while the MD 902 shifts category to light twin, usually trading higher operating complexity for added redundancy and slightly greater typical seating.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.76 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | AW119Kx | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 515 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | — | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 885 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G1000H | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 131 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $3,850,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PT6B-37A | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 917 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 160 | 159 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 65 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 42.5 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 11.9 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 35.5 | 33.9 |