Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw169
The Airbus Helicopters H125 sits in the light single‑engine utility category, typically carrying about five to six passengers (plus pilot) and offering a practical range on the order of roughly 330–350 nautical miles, depending on fuel fit and mission profile. The Airbus Helicopters H160 is a medium twin aimed at offshore, corporate, and EMS roles, generally configured for around eight to twelve passengers and commonly quoted with a range roughly in the 450–500 nautical mile class. The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger is a light twin, often used for EMS and corporate missions, usually seating about six to seven passengers (plus pilot[s]) and delivering a typical range around 390–410 nautical miles. The Leonardo AW169 is a light‑intermediate twin positioned above the 429 in cabin and performance flexibility, commonly arranged for about eight to ten passengers with a typical range roughly in the 430–450 nautical mile range. Overall, H125 prioritizes simplicity and payload in a single, while H160 targets higher-end missions with more cabin and range, and the 429 and AW169 compete closely as light twins, with the AW169 generally offering more cabin volume and seating flexibility.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | — | $ 6.05 | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 14 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H160 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 460 | 381 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | — | $ 0.76 | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 3992 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | — | $ 931 | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 155 | 154 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $14,000,000 | $7,700,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 14 | 8 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | HE Arrano | PW207D1 | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | — | 1100 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 216.9 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 39.4 | 43 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 13.1 | 12.39 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 45.2 | 36 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 130 | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 74 | 49.5 |