AIR.ONE

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.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H135Bell 429WLG GlobalRangerBell 505 JetRanger XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewAGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09MD Helicopters MD 500EMD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerROBINSON R66Sikorsky S-76D
Summary
Cockpit2222222222
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 6.33$ 6.05$ 3.53$ 7.31$4.48$ 2.95$ 7.54$ 3.49$ 11.49
Min Crew1111111112
Total Seats69858848512
Flight RulesVFRIFRIFRVFRVFRVFRVFRVFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoLeonardoMD HelicotpersMD HelicotpersRobinson HelicoptersSikorsky
Aircraft NameH125H135429WLG GlobalRanger505 JetRanger XAW109 Grand NewSH09MD 500EMD 902 ExlplorerR66S-76D
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAIn-DevelopmentFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341342381306464430258317350441
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 Seats576663610
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)2189312425281500148331251355
Standard Cabin Seats47636626310
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 861$ 931$ 441$ 1,140$627$ 398$ 988$ 384$ 1,781
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HHelionixBell BasiX-ProGarmin G1000HEFISEFISGyro / AnalogGarmin G500HGyro / AnalogThales TopDeck
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136136154125156140135131110155
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 Passengers7
Cabin
Cockpit2222222222
Min Crew1111111112
Total Seats69858848512
Max Cabin Seats57663610
Standard Cabin Seats47636626310
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesYesDual-ChannelYesYesNoNoNoYes
ModelArriel 2DArrius 2B2+PW207D1Arrius 2RPW207CHTS 900250-C20BPW207ERR300PW210S
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)5000400040004000400055003500400020004000
Horsepower847660110050573510204207103001077
No. of Engines1221211211
Fuel Capacity (gal)143216.984.851526415973.6296
Fuel Burn (gph)7632.33565
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.533.54342.4842.530.940.638.352.5
Overall Height (ft)1012.612.3910.6511.58.71211.414.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.134363735.526.433.93344
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)17313013750
Width (ft)26.376.51
Cabin Width (ft)54.66
Cabin Height (ft)42.75
Cabin Length (ft)6.587.17
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)741818