Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Sikorsky S 76d
In category, the Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW169 sit in the light–intermediate class, commonly chosen for EMS, police, and utility roles with relatively low operating footprint. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a lighter twin with a compact profile and NOTAR anti-torque system, often positioned for urban/public-service missions. The Sikorsky S-76D is a medium twin oriented strongly toward offshore and executive transport with higher cruise performance and refinement. The Leonardo AW139 is a larger medium twin, frequently a workhorse for offshore, SAR, and government operations with strong payload and cabin volume. The Bell 525 Relentless is a super-medium, aimed at longer-range offshore and high-end transport with modern fly-by-wire architecture. On range, the MD 902 and H145 are generally shorter-legged; the AW169 and S-76D typically offer moderate range; the AW139 trends higher; and the 525 is usually the longest-range of this group depending on fuel configuration. On passenger capacity, the MD 902 and H145 commonly carry about 6–9 passengers; the AW169 and S-76D about 6–12; the AW139 about 12–15; and the 525 roughly 12–16 in typical layouts.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | — | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 | $ 7.54 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 525 Relentless | AW139 | AW169 | MD 902 Exlplorer | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 580 | 573 | 440 | 317 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | — | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 6675 | 4701 | — | 3125 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | — | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 | $ 988 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G500H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 160 | 165 | 140 | 131 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 | $7,250,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | CT7-2F1 | PT6C-67C | PW210A | PW207E | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1800 | 1679 | 1000 | 710 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 641 | 414 | — | 159 | 296 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | — | 65 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 61.58 | 54.7 | 48.1 | 40.6 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 18.18 | 16.4 | 14.8 | 12 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 54.5 | 54.7 | — | 33.9 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | — | 282 | 222.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 128 | 120 | 49.5 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — | — | — | — |