Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H215 vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Airbus Helicopters H135 and H145 are light twin‑engine helicopters typically used for EMS, law enforcement, and short‑to‑medium corporate or utility missions. The H135 sits in the smaller light‑twin category, usually carrying about 5–7 passengers (depending on interior/mission fit) with a typical range around 300–350 nautical miles. The H145 is a larger light twin with a roomier cabin, commonly accommodating about 8–9 passengers and offering broadly similar or slightly better practical range, often roughly 330–370 nautical miles. The Sikorsky S‑76D is a medium twin often positioned as an executive/offshore platform; it generally carries around 8–12 passengers and offers longer legs than the light twins, typically about 400 nautical miles. The Airbus H215 is a heavy twin in the Super Puma family, aimed at offshore transport and high‑payload utility work. It can seat roughly 16–19 passengers in a transport layout and typically provides a range on the order of 450–550 nautical miles, depending on fuel and configuration.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H215 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 19.07 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 21 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | H215 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 468 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 22 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 8903 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 19 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 2,708 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 142 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $27,500,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 21 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 22 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 19 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Makila 1A1 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1820 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 540 | 296 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 61.4 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 16.2 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 51.2 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 473.9 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | — | — |