Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Airbus Helicopters H145 is a twin‑engine light utility helicopter designed for missions that benefit from vertical takeoff and landing, such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, and short-hop corporate transport. Its typical range is on the order of roughly 300–400 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves, and it commonly carries about 6 to 9 passengers in a cabin layout, with flexibility for medical or special-mission equipment. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft aimed at efficient regional travel and business aviation, optimized for runway operations rather than point-to-point access. It offers substantially longer range, typically around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and conditions, and it generally seats about 6 to 9 passengers in executive configurations, with higher-density layouts possible. In short, the H145 emphasizes access and versatility in constrained locations with shorter range, while the PC‑12 NGX emphasizes speed and endurance for longer trips between airports with comparable passenger counts in common business layouts.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | Optional |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 13100 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1200 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 47.25 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 14 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 16.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.25 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 40 |