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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 365 | 381 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | 154 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 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 | — |