Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus Helicopters H130 and the Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven II are both light civil helicopters, but they sit in different segments. The H130 is generally positioned as a single‑engine light helicopter optimized for passenger comfort and tourism or private transport, while the R44 Raven II is a smaller piston‑engine light helicopter commonly used for training, personal flying, and utility missions where lower operating cost is a priority. In range, the H130 typically offers a longer practical range than the R44, making it better suited to longer legs with reserves, whereas the R44’s range is usually shorter and more sensitive to payload and fuel tradeoffs. For passenger capacity, the H130 is usually configured to carry a pilot plus up to six passengers, while the R44 Raven II typically carries a pilot plus three passengers. Overall, the H130 emphasizes higher cabin volume and passenger experience, and the R44 emphasizes simplicity and cost-efficient operation.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2D | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 29.5 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 33 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 2.5 |