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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii

The Airbus Helicopters H135 and H145 are light twin‑engine helicopters suited to point‑to‑point missions without runways. The H135 is the smaller category, typically carrying a pilot plus about five to six passengers depending on interior and mission kit, and it offers a shorter overall range (roughly on the order of 300–350 nautical miles with reserves). The H145 is a larger light twin with more cabin volume and payload, commonly seating around seven to nine passengers in utility layouts, and it generally provides a longer range (about 330–400 nautical miles, mission dependent). The Cessna Grand Caravan EX and Daher Kodiak 100 Series III are single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing utility aircraft optimized for short and rough fields, offering faster cruise and longer legs than the helicopters but requiring a runway or suitable strip. Both are typically configured for up to nine passengers. In range terms, the Grand Caravan EX is commonly around 900–1,000 nautical miles with reserves, while the Kodiak 100 Series III is broadly similar, often around 1,000 nautical miles depending on load and conditions.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145Cessna Grand Caravan EX
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 3.15
Min Crew111
Total Seats91010
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersCessna
Aircraft NameH135H145Grand Caravan EX
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352964
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.39
Max Cabin Seats7912
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)312442003332
Standard Cabin Seats788
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 614
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISGarmin G1000 NXi
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130195
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$2,695,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats91010
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats7912
Standard Cabin Seats788
LavatoryNo
Cargo DoorYes
Cabin Pressure (psi)Un-Pressurized
Galley / RefreshmentNo
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EPT6A-140
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000
Horsepower660894867
No. of Engines221
Flat RatingISA + 24
Fuel Capacity (gal)335
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.544.841.6
Overall Height (ft)12.61315.1
Rotor Diameter (ft)3436.1
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173166
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.8
Wingspan (ft)52.1
Cabin Width (ft)5.4
Cabin Height (ft)4.5
Cabin Length (ft)16.8
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)32