Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
The Airbus Helicopters H135 is typically positioned as a light twin for training, EMS, and short‑to‑medium utility work. It generally offers the shortest range of the three and the smallest cabin, most often carrying about six to seven passengers in a typical corporate/utility layout (or fewer when configured for EMS equipment), making it best suited to missions where compact size and lower operating footprint matter more than maximum cabin volume. The Airbus Helicopters H145 sits a step up in category as a larger light twin/midsize‑leaning utility helicopter with a notably roomier cabin and higher useful load. It commonly supports around eight to nine passengers in standard seating, and it usually provides the longest range among these three, aligning well with EMS, law enforcement, offshore support, and multi‑role utility missions that benefit from cabin space and endurance. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is also a light twin, often oriented toward fast corporate transport and versatile utility roles. Passenger capacity is generally similar to the H135 at about six to seven passengers, while range typically falls between the H135 and H145, depending on configuration and fuel options.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 152 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | — |