Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger"
The Airbus H135 is the lightest of the three and fits the light twin category, typically configured for about 5–7 passengers depending on interior and mission kit. Its range is generally in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles (often roughly 300–350 nm), making it well suited to training, EMS, and short-to-medium regional hops. The Airbus H145 is a larger light/medium twin (often described as a medium-class twin in operational terms) with a noticeably roomier cabin and higher useful load. It commonly carries about 8–9 passengers in passenger transport layouts, and its range is typically similar or slightly higher than the H135 (often around 330–360 nm), with strong advantages in cabin volume and hot-and-high performance. The Bell 429 WLG (GlobalRanger) is a light twin positioned between the H135 and H145 in cabin and payload, often seating about 6–7 passengers in typical corporate or utility layouts (with higher-density options possible). Its range is commonly around 350–400 nm, often edging the H135 and comparable to or slightly above many H145 configurations depending on tanks and equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 |