Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw119kx
In category, the Airbus Helicopters H130 and Leonardo AW119Kx are single‑engine light helicopters, typically chosen for lower operating costs and strong utility or tour performance, while the Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger are twin‑engine light helicopters, generally favored for higher redundancy and demanding missions such as EMS and corporate transport. For range, the H130 and AW119Kx commonly sit in a similar mid‑range bracket for this class (often roughly 330–400 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves), while the H135 is comparable or slightly higher in many mission fits (often around the high‑300‑nautical‑mile range). The Bell 429 is frequently among the longer‑legged of the four, commonly quoted in the neighborhood of roughly 400+ nautical miles, again varying with payload, fuel options, and mission profile. In passenger capacity, the H130 is known for a roomy cabin and typically seats the pilot plus up to six passengers. The H135 and Bell 429 are often configured around the pilot(s) plus six to seven passengers depending on interior and mission equipment. The AW119Kx commonly seats the pilot plus six passengers.
| Spec | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.76 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H130 | H135 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW119Kx |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 333 | 342 | 365 | 515 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.84 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2299 | 3124 | 2535 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 885 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 128 | 136 | 148 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $7,500,000 | $3,850,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PT6B-37A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 |
| Horsepower | 952 | 660 | 1100 | 917 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 216.9 | 160 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 41.5 | 33.5 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 11.1 | 12.6 | 13.25 | 11.9 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35.1 | 34 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 173 | 130 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 74 | — |