Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Enstrom Helicopter 280fx Shark vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus H135 and H145 sit in the light twin category, typically chosen for EMS, law enforcement, and utility work where redundancy and higher payload matter. The H145 is the larger, longer‑range, higher‑capacity step up, commonly carrying about 8–9 passengers (plus pilot[s]) depending on interior, while the H135 is slightly smaller and often configured around 5–7 passengers. Bell’s 505 JetRanger X is a light single, generally positioned for training, private, and light commercial missions; it usually seats 4 passengers plus a pilot and offers moderate range compared with the twins. The Enstrom 280FX Shark is also a light single, often used for training and personal flying; it typically carries 3 passengers plus a pilot and has a comparatively shorter to midrange mission profile. The Robinson R44 Raven II is a light single and a common private/training helicopter; it usually carries 3 passengers plus a pilot and tends to offer solid range for its class, often comparable to or better than other light singles depending on fuel and loading.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | Enstrom Helicopter 280FX Shark | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 3.53 | $ 1.98 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Enstrom Helicopter | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 505 JetRanger X | 280FX Shark | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 306 | 229 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.66 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 1500 | 930 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 3 | — | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 441 | $ 198 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 125 | 100 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 560,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 3 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | No | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arrius 2R | HI0-360-F1AD | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 1500 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 505 | 225 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 84.85 | 40 | 29.5 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 42.48 | 29.3 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 10.65 | 9 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 37 | 32 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 137 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 18 | 6 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 6.51 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.66 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 2.75 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 7.17 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | 2.5 |