Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New
In category terms, the Airbus H130 is a light single-engine helicopter typically favored for cost-effective passenger and utility work, while the H135, H145, and Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are light twin-engine aircraft commonly used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is also a light twin but leans more strongly toward fast VIP/corporate missions. The Airbus H160 sits a step higher as a medium twin, optimized for higher-end offshore, corporate, and public-service roles with more advanced aerodynamics and cabin refinement. For range, these models broadly progress from shorter-to-moderate mission profiles in the H130 and H135, to longer practical reach in the H145, Bell 429, and AW109, with the H160 generally offering the most capable overall range in typical configurations. For passenger capacity, the H130 usually carries about six to seven passengers, the H135 and AW109 commonly seat around six to seven, the H145 typically accommodates about seven to eight, the Bell 429 about six to seven, and the H160 generally offers the largest cabin with roughly eight to twelve seats depending on layout.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | — | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H135 | H145 | H160 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 342 | 352 | 460 | 381 | 464 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | — | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 3124 | 4200 | 3992 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | — | $ 931 | $ 1,140 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 136 | 130 | 155 | 154 | 156 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $14,000,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | HE Arrano | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 660 | 894 | — | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | — | — | 216.9 | 152 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | — | 76 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 33.5 | 44.8 | 39.4 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 12.6 | 13 | 13.1 | 12.39 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 34 | 36.1 | 45.2 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 166 | — | 130 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 46.8 | — | 74 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | — | 6.58 | — |