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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 3.15 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PT6A-140 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 867 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 24 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 335 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 41.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 15.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | — |
| 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 |