Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Bell 429 Globalranger
The Airbus Helicopters H125 (AS350) is best viewed as a light single‑engine utility helicopter, valued for high‑altitude/hot‑and‑high performance and external‑load versatility. In typical configurations it carries a pilot plus about five passengers, and its practical range is generally in the mid‑300 nautical mile class depending on fuel fit, payload, and reserves. The Airbus Helicopters H130 is also a light single‑engine helicopter but optimized more for passenger comfort and tourism/VIP work, with a quieter cabin and wide visibility; it commonly seats a pilot plus six passengers, with a broadly similar practical range to the H125, again typically around the mid‑300 nautical mile class depending on configuration. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light twin‑engine aircraft aimed at IFR-capable missions and higher redundancy, often used for EMS, corporate, and law‑enforcement roles; it typically accommodates one or two pilots with about six to seven passengers depending on interior and mission equipment, and it usually offers a somewhat longer practical range than the H125/H130 class, often around the 400+ nautical mile class when configured for it.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 6.29 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | 429 GlobalRanger |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 365 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 2535 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 931 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Bell BasiX-Pro |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 148 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $7,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | PW207D1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 1100 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | 216.9 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 43 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 13.25 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 36 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 130 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 74 |