Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Airbus H135 and H145 are light twin-engine helicopters typically used for EMS and utility work; they carry about 5–8 passengers depending on interior, with typical mission ranges roughly in the 300–350 nm class. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger sits in a similar light-twin category with a comparable 6–7 passenger cabin and broadly similar range, often around 300–400 nm depending on reserves and configuration. Moving up, the Airbus H155 is a medium twin with a noticeably larger cabin, commonly configured for about 8–12 passengers and offering longer legs, often around 400–500 nm. The Sikorsky S-76D is also a medium twin frequently used for corporate and offshore transport, generally seating about 8 passengers and typically offering around 350–450 nm of range. The Airbus H160 is a newer medium twin aimed at higher efficiency and comfort, usually configured around 8–12 passengers with range commonly in the 450–550 nm bracket. At the larger end, the Bell 525 Relentless is a super-medium twin designed for offshore and executive missions, typically 12–16 passengers with longer range, often about 500–600+ nm depending on fit and reserves.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H155 | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 11.06 | — | $ 6.29 | — | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | H155 | H160 | 429 GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 423 | 460 | 365 | 580 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.74 | — | $ 0.79 | — | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 4012 | 3992 | 2535 | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 1,593 | — | $ 931 | — | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 144 | 155 | 148 | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $14,800,000 | $14,000,000 | $7,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arriel 2C2 | HE Arrano | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 943 | — | 1100 | 1800 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 332 | — | 216.9 | 641 | 296 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | — | 76 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 46.9 | 39.4 | 43 | 61.58 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 14.3 | 13.1 | 13.25 | 18.18 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 41.1 | 45.2 | 36 | 54.5 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 235.2 | — | 130 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 88.3 | — | 74 | 128 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | 26.37 | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | 5 | 7.58 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | — | 6.58 | 15.5 | — |