AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer

All six are light twin-engine helicopters aimed at EMS, law-enforcement, utility, and corporate missions. The Airbus H135 is the compact option, typically carrying a pilot plus five to six passengers depending on fit, and is best suited to shorter sectors with a moderate range. The Airbus H145 steps up in cabin volume and useful load, commonly seating a pilot plus seven to eight, and generally offers a longer practical range than the H135, making it a frequent choice for EMS and multi-role utility work. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger sits in the same light-twin category as the H145, usually configured for a pilot plus six to seven passengers, with a range broadly comparable to the H145 in many real-world fits. The Bell 429WLG is essentially a 429 variant; passenger capacity is similar, while range differences are usually minor and configuration-dependent. The Leonardo SH09 is a lighter, newer-entry twin, typically around five to six passengers with range in the H135 class. The MD 902 Explorer is also a light twin, usually five to seven seats, with range generally comparable to the H135/SH09 tier rather than the H145/429 tier.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit222222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 6.29$ 6.05$4.48$ 7.54
Min Crew111111
Total Seats9108888
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135H145429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerSH09MD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAIn-DevelopmentFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352365381430317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.79$ 0.76$0.56$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats796666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)31244200253525283125
Standard Cabin Seats786666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 931$ 931$627$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISBell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProEFISGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130148154140131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$7,500,000$7,700,000$3,500,000 $7,250,000
Max Passengers7
Cabin
Cockpit222222
Min Crew111111
Total Seats9108888
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats79666
Standard Cabin Seats786666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EPW207D1PW207D1HTS 900PW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000400055004000
Horsepower660894110011001020710
No. of Engines222212
Fuel Burn (gph)767665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9216.9159
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.544.8434340.6
Overall Height (ft)12.61313.2512.3912
Rotor Diameter (ft)3436.1363633.9
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