Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
In category, the Airbus H135 and Leonardo AW109 Grand New/AW109 Trekker are typically positioned as light twin-engine helicopters, while the Airbus H145 and both Bell 429 variants are commonly viewed as larger light-intermediate/upper-light twins with more cabin volume and payload flexibility. For range, the H145 and Bell 429 family generally offer the longest practical legs in this group, with the H135 usually shorter, and the AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker often competitive in the mid-to-upper part of the light-twin range depending on fuel fit and mission profile. For passenger capacity, the H135 is commonly configured around 5–7 passengers, the AW109 Grand New and Trekker typically around 6–7, and the H145 and Bell 429 variants often support higher-density layouts, commonly around 7–8 passengers, with some configurations able to seat more. The Bell 429WLG is essentially a Bell 429 with a wheeled landing gear arrangement, so capacity and range are broadly similar to the standard 429, with operational differences mainly in ground handling and mission equipment options.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 365 | 381 | 464 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | 154 | 156 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 735 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | 152 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 43 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 130 | 130 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 74 | 74 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | 26.37 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | 6.58 | — | — |