Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus Helicopters H135 and H145 are light twin‑engine helicopters typically used for EMS, police, offshore support, and corporate transport, while the Robinson R44 Raven II is a light single‑engine helicopter more commonly used for training, touring, and private utility work. In range, the H135 generally offers a moderate mission radius suited to regional operations, the H145 typically provides the longest range of the three and is often favored when more fuel, payload, and equipment are needed, and the R44 Raven II usually has the shortest practical range, optimized for shorter flights rather than extended missions. For passenger capacity, the H135 is commonly configured for about five to six passengers plus one or two pilots depending on layout and mission equipment, the larger‑cabin H145 typically accommodates more—often seven to nine passengers plus one or two pilots in transport configurations—and the R44 Raven II is limited to four seats total (typically one pilot and up to three passengers). Actual figures vary by configuration, fuel reserves, and mission fit.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 4 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 29.5 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 2.5 |