AIR.ONE

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.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker
Summary
Cockpit222222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 6.29$ 6.05$ 7.31$ 7.40
Min Crew111111
Total Seats9108888
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoLeonardo
Aircraft NameH135H145429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerAW109 Grand NewAW109 Trekker
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352365381464450
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.91$ 0.93
Max Cabin Seats796666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)3124420025352528
Standard Cabin Seats786666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 931$ 931$ 1,140$ 1,125
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISBell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProEFISGenesys Aerosystems
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130148154156152
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$7,500,000$7,700,000$ 7,800,000 $6,950,000
Cabin
Cockpit222222
Min Crew111111
Total Seats9108888
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats796666
Standard Cabin Seats786666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EPW207D1PW207D1PW207CPW207C
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000400040004000
Horsepower66089411001100735735
No. of Engines222222
Fuel Burn (gph)7676
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9216.9152152
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.544.8434342.542.5
Overall Height (ft)12.61313.2512.3911.511.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)3436.1363635.535.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173166130130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.87474
Width (ft)26.3726.37
Cabin Width (ft)55
Cabin Height (ft)44
Cabin Length (ft)6.586.58