Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 505 Jetranger X
By category, the Airbus H130 is a single‑engine light helicopter optimized for utility, tourism, and VIP work, while the Airbus H135 and Bell 429/429WLG are twin‑engine light helicopters positioned for higher dispatch reliability and common roles such as EMS, corporate transport, and law enforcement. The Bell 505 JetRanger X is a single‑engine light helicopter aimed at training, personal/corporate use, and light utility. In range, the twin‑engine H135 and Bell 429 family generally sit at the higher end for this group, with the Bell 429 and 429WLG broadly comparable to each other; the “WLG” (wheeled landing gear) variant is primarily about ground handling and mission fit, not a major range change. The H130 typically offers mid‑to‑strong range for a single, while the Bell 505 usually has the shortest range among these models, depending on configuration and reserves. For passenger capacity, the H130 commonly carries the most in this set (typically pilot plus up to seven passengers). The H135 and Bell 429 variants are usually in the mid range (often pilot plus six to seven depending on layout). The Bell 505 is smaller (typically pilot plus four passengers).
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 505 JetRanger X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 3.53 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H135 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 505 JetRanger X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 342 | 365 | 381 | 306 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.71 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 3124 | 2535 | 2528 | 1500 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 441 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 136 | 148 | 154 | 125 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $1,445,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | Arrius 2R |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 660 | 1100 | 1100 | 505 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | 84.85 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | 76 | 32.3 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 33.5 | 43 | 43 | 42.48 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 12.6 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 10.65 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 34 | 36 | 36 | 37 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 130 | 130 | 137 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | 26.37 | 6.51 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | 5 | 4.66 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | 4 | 2.75 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | 6.58 | 7.17 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 74 | 74 | 18 |