AIR.ONE

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

All five are light, twin‑engine civil helicopters, typically used for EMS, police, offshore support, and corporate transport. The Airbus H135 sits in the lighter end of the category and is commonly configured for about five to seven passengers (plus one or two pilots); its range is generally in the mid‑300 nm class depending on fit and reserves. The Airbus H145 is the larger “light‑intermediate” option, offering more cabin volume and usually about seven to nine passengers; it also tends to provide the longest practical range of this group, often around the mid‑300s to low‑400 nm depending on tanks and mission profile. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light twin with a spacious cabin, typically seating about six to seven passengers; its range is broadly comparable to the H135, commonly around the low‑to‑mid‑300 nm class. The Bell 429WLG is essentially the 429 with wheeled landing gear, so passenger capacity and range are generally similar, with minor mission‑equipment tradeoffs. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin known for its NOTAR anti‑torque system, usually carrying about five to seven passengers, with range typically around the low‑to‑mid‑300 nm class.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit22222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 6.29$ 6.05$ 7.54
Min Crew11111
Total Seats910888
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBellMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135H145429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352365381317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats79666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)31244200253525283125
Standard Cabin Seats78666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 931$ 931$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISBell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130148154131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$7,500,000$7,700,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit22222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats910888
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats79666
Standard Cabin Seats78666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EPW207D1PW207D1PW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40004000400040004000
Horsepower66089411001100710
No. of Engines22222
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