Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Embraer Legacy 450 vs Embraer Legacy 500 vs Embraer Phenom 100ev vs Embraer Praetor 500 vs Embraer Praetor 600 vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
The Airbus Helicopters H135 and Leonardo AW109 Trekker are light twin‑engine helicopters, suited to short‑range missions with typical practical ranges roughly in the 300–500 nautical mile class. They usually carry about five to seven passengers (depending on medical, VIP, or utility fit), with the AW109 generally offering slightly higher cruise speed and a more “executive” cabin feel, while the H135 is extremely common in EMS and public‑service roles. The Embraer Phenom 100EV is a very light jet for short‑to‑mid trips, typically carrying four to six passengers in a compact cabin, with range around 1,100–1,200 nautical miles. Embraer’s Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 are midsize jets with stand‑up cabins and typical seating around seven to nine passengers. The Legacy 450 generally offers about 2,500+ nautical miles of range, while the Legacy 500 is longer‑legged at roughly 3,000+ nautical miles. The Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 are the updated, longer‑range evolutions of the Legacy 450/500 family, typically seating seven to nine, with the Praetor 500 around 3,300 nautical miles and the Praetor 600 around 4,000+ nautical miles, enabling notably more nonstop city pairs.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Embraer Legacy 450 | Embraer Legacy 500 | Embraer Phenom 100EV | Embraer Praetor 500 | Embraer Praetor 600 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.04 | $ 6.74 | $ 2.84 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.74 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — | — | — | — | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Embraer | Embraer | Embraer | Embraer | Embraer | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | Legacy 450 | Legacy 500 | Phenom 100EV | Praetor 500 | Praetor 600 | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 2973 | 3153 | 1,178 | 3340 | 4018 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 12908 | 14837 | 3451 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 2,790 | $ 3,141 | $ 1,152 | $ 2,779 | $ 3,141 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 481 | 481 | 406 | 466 | 542 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $16,995,000 | $20,000,000 | $4,250,000 | $16,995,000 | $20,995,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No | No | No | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No | No | No | No | — |
| Connectivity | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | — | FWD | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.7 | 9.7 | 8.3 | 9.7 | 9.7 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Galley | No | Galley | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 27110 | 27140 | 21280 | 27110 | 27140 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6000 | 6000 | — | 5800 | 5800 | — |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | HTF7500E | HTF7500E | PW617F1-E | HTF7500E | HTF7500E | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — | — | — | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | On-Condition | On-Condition | 3500 | On-Condition | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | — | — | — | — | — | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 18 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 8 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 18 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6540 | 7036 | 1730 | 6540 | 7528 | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 1404 | 1441 | 543 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 1932 | 1963 | — | — | 1963 | 152 |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 64.6 | 68.1 | 42.1 | 64.6 | 68.1 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 21.1 | 21.2 | 14.3 | 21.1 | 21 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 66.5 | 66.5 | 40.4 | 70.5 | 70.5 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 6.9 | 6.8 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 6.8 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 6 | 6 | 4.9 | 6 | 6 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 20.6 | 24.1 | 11 | 20.6 | 24.1 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.7 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 17.4 | 21.3 | 9 | 17.4 | 21.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 110 | 110 | 60 | 110 | 110 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 40 | 45 | 10 | 40 | 45 | — |