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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.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145Bell 429WLG GlobalRangerMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 6.05$ 7.54
Min Crew1111
Total Seats91088
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBellMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135H145429WLG GlobalRangerMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352381317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.76$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats7966
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)3124420025283125
Standard Cabin Seats7866
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 931$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISBell BasiX-ProGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130154131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$7,700,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1111
Total Seats91088
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats7966
Standard Cabin Seats7866
Engine
FADECYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EPW207D1PW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040004000
Horsepower6608941100710
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)7665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9159
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.544.84340.6
Overall Height (ft)12.61312.3912
Rotor Diameter (ft)3436.13633.9
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173166130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.874
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)4
Cabin Length (ft)6.58