Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Airbus Helicopters H145 and the Robinson R44 Raven II sit in different helicopter categories and are typically used for different mission profiles. The H145 is a twin‑engine light utility helicopter commonly operated in professional roles such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, offshore support, and corporate transport, where redundancy and higher performance are priorities. The R44 Raven II is a single‑engine light piston helicopter most often used for private flying, training, touring, and light utility work, emphasizing simplicity and lower operating cost. In passenger capacity, an H145 is configured to carry more people overall, commonly accommodating one or two pilots plus a larger cabin load depending on interior and mission setup, whereas the R44 Raven II is a four‑seat helicopter, typically one pilot plus up to three passengers. For range, the H145 generally offers longer legs and more mission flexibility, with range varying significantly by fuel, payload, and configuration, while the R44 Raven II has a shorter typical range suited to local and regional flights.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 2.36 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.59 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 995 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 4 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2E | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 2200 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 245 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 29.5 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 10.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 2.5 |