Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66 vs Sikorsky S 76d
By category, the Airbus H125 and MD 500E are light single‑engine utility helicopters, typically chosen for work roles and simple transport; the Bell 505 and Robinson R66 are also light single‑engine types, aimed more at training, private, and light commercial use. The Airbus H135, Bell 429, Leonardo AW109 Grand New, MD 902 Explorer, and Sikorsky S‑76D are light twin‑engine helicopters, generally positioned for EMS, offshore, corporate, and high‑reliability missions. The Leonardo SH09 (often referenced as a light single concept/program) sits in the light single segment rather than the twin corporate/EMS class. On range, the longest typical legs are associated with the S‑76D and AW109, followed by the H135, Bell 429, and MD 902; the H125 is competitive for a single and often outranges smaller singles like the 505 and MD 500E, while the R66 is mid‑pack among singles. On passenger capacity, the 505 and MD 500E are usually 4–5 seats, the R66 about 5, the H125 commonly 5–6, the H135 typically 6–7, the AW109 and Bell 429 about 6–7, the MD 902 about 7, and the S‑76D generally 8–12 depending on interior.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 505 JetRanger X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | ROBINSON R66 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 6.33 | $ 6.05 | $ 3.53 | $ 7.31 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 | $ 3.49 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H135 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 505 JetRanger X | AW109 Grand New | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer | R66 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 342 | 381 | 306 | 464 | 430 | 258 | 317 | 350 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.91 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3124 | 2528 | 1500 | — | — | 1483 | 3125 | 1355 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 441 | $ 1,140 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 | $ 384 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 136 | 154 | 125 | 156 | 140 | 135 | 131 | 110 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $6,150,000 | $7,700,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 | $ 920,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 6 | — | 6 | — | 3 | 6 | — | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | Arrius 2R | PW207C | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E | RR300 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 | 2000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 660 | 1100 | 505 | 735 | 1020 | 420 | 710 | 300 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 216.9 | 84.85 | 152 | — | 64 | 159 | 73.6 | 296 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | 32.3 | — | — | 35 | 65 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 33.5 | 43 | 42.48 | 42.5 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 | 38.3 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 12.6 | 12.39 | 10.65 | 11.5 | — | 8.7 | 12 | 11.4 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 34 | 36 | 37 | 35.5 | — | 26.4 | 33.9 | 33 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 130 | 137 | — | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | 6.51 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | 4.66 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | 2.75 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | 7.17 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 74 | 18 | — | — | — | — | 18 | — |