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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.

SpecAIRBUS H130AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119KxMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit322
DOC / nm$ 5.00$ 6.76$ 7.54
Min Crew111
Total Seats788
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH130AW119KxMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)333515317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.71$ 0.84$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats566
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)22993125
Standard Cabin Seats466
Direct Operating Cost$ 640$ 885$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGarmin G1000HGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)128131131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,450,000 $3,850,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit322
Min Crew111
Total Seats788
Max Cabin Seats566
Standard Cabin Seats466
Engine
FADECYesYesNo
ModelArriel 2DPT6B-37APW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)500045004000
Horsepower952917710
No. of Engines112
Fuel Capacity (gal)143160159
Fuel Burn (gph)65
Dimensions
Length (ft)41.542.540.6
Overall Height (ft)11.111.912
Rotor Diameter (ft)35.135.533.9