Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Md Helicopters Md 520n vs Md Helicopters Md 600n
The Airbus H135 and H145 are twin‑engine light helicopters aimed at EMS, law enforcement, and utility work, with the H145 being the larger and longer‑legged of the two. In typical configurations, the H135 carries about 5–7 passengers (plus pilot) and offers a mid‑300 nm class range, while the H145 commonly seats about 8–9 passengers (plus crew) and reaches roughly the mid‑300 to low‑400 nm range depending on tanks and fit. The Bell 505 JetRanger X is a single‑engine light helicopter optimized for training, patrol, and light utility, usually carrying 4 passengers plus pilot and offering around the mid‑300 nm range. The MD 520N and MD 600N are single‑engine light helicopters using the NOTAR anti‑torque system, often favored for quiet operations and patrol/utility roles. The MD 520N typically carries 4 passengers plus pilot with a range roughly in the high‑200 to low‑300 nm class, while the larger MD 600N generally carries about 5–7 passengers (plus pilot) with a similar or slightly higher low‑300 nm class range depending on configuration.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | MD Helicopters MD 520N | MD Helicopters MD 600N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 3.53 | $ 3.38 | $ 4.06 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 505 JetRanger X | MD 520N | MD 600N |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 306 | 210 | 341 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.85 | $ 0.68 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — | 3 | 5 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 1500 | 1764 | 2000 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 441 | $ 416 | $ 545 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 125 | 123 | 134 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 2,900,000 | $3,400,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — | 3 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | No | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arrius 2R | 250-C20R | 250-C47 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 3500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 505 | 450 | 715 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 | 35 | 41 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 84.85 | 64 | 118 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 42.48 | 31.4 | 36.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 10.65 | 8.8 | 9.7 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 37 | 27.4 | 27.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 137 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 18 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 6.51 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.66 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 2.75 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 7.17 | — | — |