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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $4.48 | $ 7.54 |
| 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 | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | SH09 | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 365 | 381 | 430 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $0.56 | $ 0.94 |
| 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 | — | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $627 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | 154 | 140 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $3,500,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | 7 | — |
| 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 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | HTS 900 | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 1020 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | — | 159 |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 43 | 43 | — | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 | — | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | — | 33.9 |
| 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 | — | — |