Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
The Airbus H135 is a light twin typically used for EMS, police, and training, offering short-to-medium range and a compact cabin best suited to about five to seven passengers depending on interior fit. The Airbus H145 is the larger step up in Airbus’s light-twin lineup, with a longer practical range than the H135 and a significantly roomier cabin; it commonly carries six to nine passengers and is often chosen when payload, cabin volume, and mission flexibility matter most. The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger sits in a similar light-intermediate twin category, generally comparable to the H145 in mission set, with medium range and a cabin that typically accommodates six to eight passengers, often emphasizing smooth handling and useful cabin access. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is also a twin, but is distinguished by its NOTAR anti-torque system; it tends to offer medium range and usually seats around five to eight passengers, with configurations varying widely by role. Overall, H135 favors compact operations, while H145 and Bell 429 prioritize cabin and capability, and MD 902 stands out for tail-rotor-less handling and safety characteristics.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 381 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 2528 | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 154 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,700,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 159 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 43 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 12.39 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 36 | 33.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 130 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 74 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | — |