Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
All four are light twin or single helicopters aimed at passenger transport and utility work, but they differ in category, typical range, and cabin capacity. The Airbus Helicopters H135 is a light twin often used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttle missions; it typically carries about 5–6 passengers (plus pilot[s]) and offers roughly 300–350 nm of range depending on configuration. The Bell 407GXi is a light single, valued for simplicity and hot-and-high performance; it commonly seats about 5 passengers plus a pilot and has a typical range around 300–330 nm. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light twin with a larger cabin than the H135, frequently configured for 6–7 passengers (plus pilot[s]) and commonly achieves about 380–420 nm range. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is a light twin positioned toward higher cruise performance and executive/utility flexibility; it generally carries about 6–7 passengers (plus pilot[s]) and typically offers around 400–500 nm range, again varying with fuel, payload, and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 407GXi | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 337 | 365 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2300 | 2535 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 931 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 148 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $7,500,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 862 | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 127.8 | 216.9 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 41.4 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 10.2 | 13.25 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 35 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 125 | 130 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | 4 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | 74 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | — |