Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger"
The Airbus H135 is a light twin helicopter typically used for training, EMS, and short regional missions. It generally carries one or two pilots plus about five to six passengers depending on interior fit, and it offers a practical mission range in the roughly 300–350 nautical mile class, making it best suited to shorter point‑to‑point flights with lower payload. The Airbus H145 is a larger light‑medium twin with a roomier cabin and higher useful load. It commonly accommodates one or two pilots plus around seven to nine passengers in corporate or shuttle layouts, and its typical range is broadly similar to slightly better than the H135, often around 330–370 nautical miles, with stronger hot‑and‑high and single‑engine performance margins. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger sits in the same light‑medium twin category as the H145, emphasizing speed and cabin comfort. It usually carries one or two pilots plus about six to eight passengers, with range commonly around 370–410 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves. Exact figures vary by avionics, seating, fuel options, and regulatory reserve assumptions.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 |