Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 412epi vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Sikorsky S 76d
By category, the H125, Bell 407GXi, Bell 505, Leonardo AW119Kx, and MD 500E are light single‑engine helicopters, typically favored for utility, training, and cost‑efficient point‑to‑point work. The H135 and MD 902 Explorer are light twin‑engine types aimed at EMS, law enforcement, and corporate missions with added redundancy. The AW109 Grand New, Bell 429WLG, and Sikorsky S‑76D sit in the light‑intermediate twin class, commonly used for premium corporate and EMS roles. The AW169 and Bell 412EPi are medium twins oriented to multi‑role utility, EMS, and offshore support, while the AW189 is a larger medium twin strongly associated with offshore transport. The Leonardo SH09 is a modern light single intended for training and general utility. In range, light singles generally offer the shortest to moderate legs, light twins and light‑intermediates are typically moderate, and medium twins (AW169/412EPi) are moderate to longer, with AW189 often among the longest in this group. For passenger capacity, light singles usually seat about 4–6, light twins about 5–8, light‑intermediates about 6–8, and medium twins about 8–16 depending on configuration, with AW189 generally at the high end.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 412EPi | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 505 JetRanger X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 12.09 | $ 6.05 | $ 3.53 | $ 7.31 | $ 6.76 | $ 11.84 | $ 15.57 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | 407GXi | 412EPi | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 505 JetRanger X | AW109 Grand New | AW119Kx | AW169 | AW189 | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 337 | 361 | 381 | 306 | 464 | 515 | 440 | 651 | 430 | 258 | 317 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 2300 | 4829 | 2528 | 1500 | — | — | — | — | — | 1483 | 3125 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 1,487 | $ 931 | $ 441 | $ 1,140 | $ 885 | $ 1,658 | $ 2,413 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 133 | 123 | 154 | 125 | 156 | 131 | 140 | 155 | 140 | 135 | 131 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $ 12,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $3,850,000 | $9,450,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 10 | 19 | — | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 10 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PT6T-9 | PW207D1 | Arrius 2R | PW207C | PT6B-37A | PW210A | CT7-2E1 | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 | 4000 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 862 | 1370 | 1100 | 505 | 735 | 917 | 1000 | 1983 | 1020 | 420 | 710 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 127.8 | 330.5 | 216.9 | 84.85 | 152 | 160 | — | — | — | 64 | 159 | 296 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 46 | 113 | 76 | 32.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 65 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 41.4 | 52.1 | 43 | 42.48 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 48.1 | 57.8 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 10.2 | 11.5 | 12.39 | 10.65 | 11.5 | 11.9 | 14.8 | 16.6 | — | 8.7 | 12 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 35 | 46 | 36 | 37 | 35.5 | 35.5 | — | 48 | — | 26.4 | 33.9 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 125 | 220 | 130 | 137 | — | — | 222.5 | 395 | — | — | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 25.4 | 33 | 26.37 | 6.51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — | 5 | 4.66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 3.9 | — | 4 | 2.75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 16 | 28 | 74 | 18 | — | — | 49.5 | 85 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | — | 6.58 | 7.17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |