AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d

By category, the Airbus H135, Leonardo SH09, MD 500E, MD 902 Explorer, Robinson R66, and Bell 407GXi are light helicopters, typically used for training, utility, EMS, and police work. The Leonardo AW169 sits in the light-intermediate/medium class, while the Sikorsky S-76D is a medium twin often positioned as a premium offshore and corporate platform. The Leonardo AW189 is a larger medium helicopter optimized for offshore transport and SAR. In range, the MD 500E and MD 902 are generally shorter-range light platforms, with the R66 and H135 also commonly operating in short-to-moderate mission radii. The Bell 407GXi tends to offer strong range for a single-engine light helicopter. The AW169 and S-76D typically provide longer ranges than most light types, while the AW189 is generally the long-range leader among those listed, reflecting its offshore focus. Passenger capacity broadly scales with size: MD 500E and R66 are usually around 4–5 passengers, H135 and MD 902 commonly about 5–7, Bell 407GXi about 5–6, SH09 about 6–7, AW169 around 8–10, S-76D around 8–12, and AW189 roughly 16–18.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 407GXiAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerROBINSON R66Sikorsky S-76D
Summary
Cockpit222222222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 4.43$ 11.84$ 15.57$4.48$ 2.95$ 7.54$ 3.49$ 11.49
Min Crew111111112
Total Seats961221848512
Flight RulesIFRVFRIFRIFRVFRVFRVFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoLeonardoLeonardoMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersRobinson HelicoptersSikorsky
Aircraft NameH135407GXiAW169AW189SH09MD 500EMD 902 ExlplorerR66S-76D
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAIn-DevelopmentFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342337440651430258317350441
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.74$ 0.99$ 0.74$0.56$ 0.74$ 0.94$ 0.70$ 0.96
Max Cabin Seats75101963610
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)31242300148331251355
Standard Cabin Seats751019626310
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 589$ 1,658$ 2,413$627$ 398$ 988$ 384$ 1,781
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixGarmin G1000H NXIEFISEFISEFISGyro / AnalogGarmin G500HGyro / AnalogThales TopDeck
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136133140155140135131110155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$3,225,000 $9,450,000 $2,413,000$3,500,000$ 2,750,000 $7,250,000 $ 920,000 $14,900,000
Max Passengers7
Cabin
Cockpit222222222
Min Crew111111112
Total Seats961221848512
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats7510193610
Standard Cabin Seats751019626310
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoYes
ModelArrius 2B2+M250-C47E/4PW210ACT7-2E1HTS 900250-C20BPW207ERR300PW210S
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400035004000400055003500400020004000
Horsepower6608621000198310204207103001077
No. of Engines212211211
Fuel Burn (gph)463565
Fuel Capacity (gal)127.86415973.6296
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.541.448.157.830.940.638.352.5
Overall Height (ft)12.610.214.816.68.71211.414.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)34354826.433.93344
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173125222.539550
Width (ft)25.4
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)3.9
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)1649.58518