Twin choice

[Tail Bloater]

With a limited choice of 3 modles, EC135, Agusta A109E and MD920 . Which would you recommend and why given that range is more important than payload for transit, and when maximum passenger load is required, what is the flight time between refuels?
Considering that none of these would be your choice which then in the next size up would you recommend? (BK117, EC145, Daufin)

[Droopy]

What sort of operation? The 135 has a good range on standard tanks but use it on a windy day for executive charter and you wouldn't get much repeat business.

[Shawn Coyle]

I have little experience in anything but the A109. The higher cruise speed is something to take serious consideration of, as it seems we are always flying into a headwind.
The extra 15 or so knots in cruise speed will make the trip shorter in any case, but it makes most light headwinds simply disappear.

[Ascend Charlie]

Biggest problem with a 109 is the seriously short range when you have the seats full - down around 45 mins with 30 mins reserves.

If you go for a BK 117, make sure you get CSAS or something better, as the ride without this is very passenger-unfriendly!

[Tail Bloater]

for Droopy,
it would be entirely VIP transport for the maximum pax load and just crew on the positioning flights.

I was hoping to hear something about the Explorer. \any views on this modle as the pax cabin is probably the roomiest of the small ones.