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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless

The Airbus H135 and H145 and the Bell 429WLG are best viewed as light twin-engine helicopters, while the Bell 525 Relentless sits in a larger, “super‑medium” category aimed at higher payload and longer missions. In range terms, the H135 and Bell 429WLG are broadly comparable for typical light-twin utility and EMS profiles, generally offering several hundred nautical miles of practical reach depending on fuel fit and reserves, while the H145 usually stretches that a bit farther thanks to higher fuel capacity and efficiency in its class. The Bell 525 is designed for materially longer legs than the other three, targeting offshore-style ranges well beyond typical light-twin missions. For passenger capacity, the H135 commonly carries around six to seven passengers in a utility layout, the Bell 429WLG typically seats about six to seven, and the H145 often accommodates around seven to eight with more cabin volume and useful load flexibility. The Bell 525 is in a different league, commonly configured for roughly 12 to 16 passengers depending on interior and mission.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145Bell 429WLG GlobalRangerBell 525 Relentless
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 6.05
Min Crew1112
Total Seats910818
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellBell
Aircraft NameH135H145429WLG GlobalRanger525 Relentless
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352381580
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.76
Max Cabin Seats79616
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)3124420025286675
Standard Cabin Seats78616
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 931
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISBell BasiX-ProGarmin G5000H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130154160
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$7,700,000$15,000,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1112
Total Seats910818
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats79616
Standard Cabin Seats78616
Engine
FADECYesYesYesDual-Channel
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EPW207D1CT7-2F1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040004000
Horsepower66089411001800
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)76
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9641
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.544.84361.58
Overall Height (ft)12.61312.3918.18
Rotor Diameter (ft)3436.13654.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173166130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.874128
Width (ft)26.3725.77
Cabin Width (ft)57.58
Cabin Height (ft)44.5
Cabin Length (ft)6.5815.5