Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless
The Airbus H135 and H145 and the Bell 429WLG are typically considered light twin-engine helicopters, while the Airbus H155 is a medium twin and the Bell 525 Relentless is a super-medium, aimed at longer-range, higher-payload missions. In range, the H135 is generally the shortest-legged of the group, suited to urban EMS, training, and short regional hops. The H145 and Bell 429WLG usually offer a step up in usable mission radius and cruise, making them common for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttle work. The H155 typically extends range further than the light twins and is often chosen for offshore support and VIP transport where a larger cabin and more endurance matter. The Bell 525 sits at the top for range and endurance, designed for demanding offshore and executive missions. For passenger capacity, the H135 commonly carries about 5–7 passengers (plus crew) depending on configuration, the H145 about 7–9, the Bell 429WLG about 6–8, the H155 about 8–12, and the Bell 525 roughly 12–16 in typical layouts.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H155 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 11.06 | $ 6.05 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 18 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | H155 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 423 | 381 | 580 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.76 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 4012 | 2528 | 6675 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 16 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 1,593 | $ 931 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 144 | 154 | 160 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $14,800,000 | $7,700,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 18 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 16 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arriel 2C2 | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 943 | 1100 | 1800 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 332 | 216.9 | 641 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 76 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 46.9 | 43 | 61.58 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 14.3 | 12.39 | 18.18 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 41.1 | 36 | 54.5 |
| 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 |