Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
The Airbus H125 and Bell 407GXi are single‑engine utility helicopters aimed at cost‑effective work and simple logistics. The H125 typically carries a pilot plus up to 6 passengers (highly dependent on interior and mission kit) and is often chosen for strong hot‑and‑high performance, while the 407GXi is commonly configured for a pilot plus up to 6 passengers and is valued for speed and ride quality in the single‑engine class. The Airbus H135, Bell 429 GlobalRanger, and Leonardo AW109 Trekker are twin‑engine platforms positioned for higher redundancy and a broader mix of missions such as EMS, corporate, and public service. The H135 is a light twin generally seating a pilot plus about 5–6 passengers, the Bell 429 is a light twin with a typically roomier cabin and commonly seats a pilot plus about 6–7 passengers, and the AW109 Trekker is a light twin often configured for a pilot plus about 6–7 passengers. In range, these models broadly overlap, but the twin‑engine H135/429/AW109 typically deliver longer practical legs than many single‑engine utility configurations, with actual range varying significantly by fuel, payload, reserves, and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | 407GXi | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 337 | 365 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 2300 | 2535 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 931 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 133 | 148 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $7,500,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 862 | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 127.8 | 216.9 | 152 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 46 | 76 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 41.4 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 10.2 | 13.25 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 125 | 130 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 25.4 | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 3.9 | 4 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 16 | 74 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | 6.58 | — |