AIR.ONE

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.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H135Bell 407GXiBell 429 GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker
Summary
Cockpit22222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 6.33$ 4.43$ 6.29$ 7.40
Min Crew11111
Total Seats69688
Flight RulesVFRIFRVFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardo
Aircraft NameH125H135407GXi429 GlobalRangerAW109 Trekker
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341342337365450
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.79$ 0.74$ 0.79$ 0.93
Max Cabin Seats57566
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)2189312423002535
Standard Cabin Seats47566
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 861$ 589$ 931$ 1,125
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixGarmin G1000H NXIBell BasiX-ProGenesys Aerosystems
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136136133148152
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$6,150,000$3,225,000$7,500,000 $6,950,000
Cabin
Cockpit22222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats69688
Max Cabin Seats57566
Standard Cabin Seats47566
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesYes
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+M250-C47E/4PW207D1PW207C
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)50004000350040004000
Horsepower8476608621100735
No. of Engines12122
Fuel Capacity (gal)143127.8216.9152
Fuel Burn (gph)4676
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.533.541.44342.5
Overall Height (ft)1012.610.213.2511.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.134353635.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173125130
Width (ft)25.426.37
Cabin Width (ft)55
Cabin Height (ft)3.94
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)1674
Cabin Length (ft)6.58