Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker"
The Airbus H135 is the lightest of the three and is typically used for short-to-medium missions such as training, EMS, and urban transport. It generally offers the shortest range among these options and usually carries about five to six passengers (plus one or two pilots, depending on configuration). The Airbus H145 is a larger light–intermediate twin and emphasizes cabin volume and payload; it commonly supports about seven to nine passengers in passenger layouts and tends to deliver the longest practical range of the three, making it better suited to longer hops, offshore support (in some configurations), and higher-demand multi-role work. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker sits between them in category and mission profile: it’s a light twin optimized for speed and utility, typically accommodating around six to seven passengers, with range generally competitive with the H135 and often approaching the H145 depending on tanks and fit. Exact figures vary notably by variant, fuel options, and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 |