Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw169
All five are light twin‑engine, multi‑mission helicopters, but they span two rough size classes. The Airbus H135 is typically the smallest and lightest, commonly used for EMS, training, and urban missions; it generally carries about six to seven passengers (plus crew, depending on layout) and offers the shortest-to-moderate range in this set. The Airbus H145 steps up in cabin volume and useful load, often configured for about eight to nine passengers, and typically provides a somewhat longer practical range than the H135. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger sits in a similar light‑twin segment to the H145, commonly seating about seven to eight passengers, with range broadly comparable to the H145 depending on fuel and equipment. The Bell 429WLG is essentially a 429 variant with wheeled landing gear; category, seating, and range are generally similar to the standard 429, with differences driven more by configuration than fundamentals. The Leonardo AW169 is the largest of the group, often classed as a light‑intermediate twin; it typically seats about eight to ten passengers and usually offers the strongest combination of cabin space and range among these models.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 365 | 381 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | 154 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 43 | 43 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 130 | 130 | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 74 | 74 | 49.5 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | 6.58 | — |