There is no single hourly fuel-use rate for helicopters. Consumption varies by aircraft model, engine, and mission. For a useful estimate, compare figures for the specific helicopter and treat each as a planning value—not a universal rate.
Helicopter fuel use per hour: examples by model
The figures below come from different kinds of sources and are not based on a common test. They illustrate model-to-model variation, not a controlled performance ranking.
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| Helicopter | Fuel-use figure | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson R22 | 8.0 US gal/h (about 30.3 L/h) | Robinson Helicopter Company’s 2026 estimated operating-cost assumption for average use/cruise planning; an estimate, not a guarantee for every flight. Source: Robinson Helicopter Company |
| Robinson R44 | 60 L/h (about 15.9 US gal/h) | Planning figure reported by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in a 2024 investigation report. The ATSB notes that Robinson does not publish fuel-flow rates for its helicopters, so this is not a Robinson-published specification. Source: ATSB |
| Airbus AS350 B3e/H125 | 44 US gal/h | U.S. Forest Service helicopter-services fuel-consumption chart value, revised May 16, 2025; a procurement/planning figure, not a controlled test result or universal manufacturer specification. Source: U.S. Forest Service chart |
| Bell 206BII | 25 US gal/h | U.S. Forest Service helicopter-services fuel-consumption chart value, revised May 16, 2025; a procurement/planning figure, not a controlled test result or universal manufacturer specification. Source: U.S. Forest Service chart |
| Sikorsky S-70/UH-60 | 135 US gal/h | U.S. Forest Service helicopter-services fuel-consumption chart value, revised May 16, 2025; a procurement/planning figure, not a controlled test result or universal manufacturer specification. Source: U.S. Forest Service chart |
Why does fuel consumption vary?
Aircraft model and engine
Helicopters differ in size, engine, and design, so one model’s hourly figure cannot be applied to another. The FAA explains that piston engines are generally used in smaller helicopters and that most training helicopters use reciprocating engines because they are relatively simple and inexpensive to operate. It also notes that turbine engines are more powerful and used in a wide variety of helicopters. Those broad categories provide context, but they do not establish a universal piston-versus-turbine fuel-use multiplier. FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook.
Mission and operating conditions
A planning rate is meaningful only in the context of the aircraft’s use. The available figures do not establish common payload, altitude, speed, or mission conditions across models. Do not infer that one helicopter is more efficient than another from these numbers alone.
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Fuel carried is not fuel burned per hour
Fuel capacity or the amount loaded for a flight is a different measure from an hourly consumption rate. The FAA says civil helicopter EMS aircraft typically carry 50–250 gallons, depending on aircraft size, planned flight duration, and fuel remaining after flying to the scene. That range describes fuel carried, not gallons consumed per hour. FAA Aeronautical Information Manual.
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How to use an hourly fuel figure
- Match the figure to the exact make, model, and variant; do not substitute a figure from a similar-looking aircraft.
- Check what kind of number it is: a manufacturer operating-cost assumption, an investigation-reported planning value, or a government procurement chart value.
- For operational planning, follow the applicable aircraft flight manual, current operator procedures, and aircraft-specific records. Do not extrapolate from an unrelated model’s figure.
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