Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus Helicopters H135 and H145 are twin‑engine light helicopters typically used for EMS, police, and offshore support, while the Bell 505 JetRanger X and Robinson R44 Raven II are generally positioned as lighter, lower‑cost single‑engine aircraft often favored for training, private use, and utility work. In range, the H145 is usually the longest‑legged of the four in typical configurations, with the H135 close behind; both commonly deliver roughly mid‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on fuel, payload, and reserves. The Bell 505 and R44 generally offer shorter ranges than the Airbus twins, though they can still cover several hundred nautical miles in favorable configurations. For passenger capacity, the H145 is the largest here, commonly accommodating around eight to nine occupants including the pilot(s), while the H135 is typically around six to seven. The Bell 505 usually seats about five, and the R44 Raven II is a four‑seat helicopter including the pilot. Overall, the H145 leads on cabin volume and useful load, the H135 balances size and capability, and the Bell 505 and R44 prioritize simplicity and operating economics.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 505 JetRanger X | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 3.53 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 505 JetRanger X | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 306 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 1500 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 3 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 441 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 125 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 3 | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arrius 2R | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 505 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 32.3 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 84.85 | 29.5 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 42.48 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 10.65 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 37 | 33 |
| 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 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 2.5 |