Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 407gxi
The Airbus Helicopters H145 and Bell 407GXi are both light, single-main-rotor utility helicopters, but they sit in slightly different capability brackets. In category terms, the H145 is a light twin‑engine helicopter, typically favored where redundancy, IFR-capable mission profiles, and higher useful load are priorities, while the 407GXi is a light single‑engine helicopter often selected for simpler operations with strong performance and lower operating complexity. On range, the Bell 407GXi commonly offers a longer maximum range in typical configurations, aided by efficient single‑engine cruise and available auxiliary fuel options, whereas the H145’s range is generally moderate for the class and can vary notably with mission equipment and reserves. For passenger capacity, the H145 usually carries more people comfortably, often configured for about 8 to 9 passengers plus crew in high‑density layouts, while the 407GXi more commonly seats around 5 to 6 passengers plus crew depending on interior and weight limits.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 407GXi |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 4.43 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 407GXi |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 337 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 5 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2300 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 5 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 589 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G1000H NXI |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 133 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $3,225,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 5 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | M250-C47E/4 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 862 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 127.8 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 41.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 10.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 125 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 16 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 |