Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
In category, the Airbus H135, Bell 429 GlobalRanger, Leonardo AW109 Grand New, and MD 902 Explorer are typically positioned as light twin-engine helicopters (with the AW109 also marketed as a fast light twin), while the Bell 407GXi and Bell 505 are light single-engine models, the MD 500E is a lighter/smaller single-engine utility helicopter, and the Leonardo SH09 (when referenced as a modern single-engine light helicopter program) aligns most closely with the light single segment. On range, the light singles generally offer solid but mission-dependent ranges, with the Bell 407GXi commonly regarded as longer-legged than many light singles, the Bell 505 more modest, and the MD 500E usually shorter. Among the twins, the AW109 Grand New is often associated with higher cruise speed and competitive range, the Bell 429 and H135 deliver strong practical ranges for EMS/corporate profiles, and the MD 902 is comparable but varies with configuration. For passenger capacity, the Bell 505 and MD 500E are usually around 4–5 seats, the Bell 407GXi and SH09 class typically around 6, and the H135, Bell 429, AW109, and MD 902 commonly seat about 6–8 depending on interior and mission fit.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 505 JetRanger X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 6.05 | $ 3.53 | $ 7.31 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 407GXi | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 505 JetRanger X | AW109 Grand New | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 337 | 381 | 306 | 464 | 430 | 258 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.91 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2300 | 2528 | 1500 | — | — | 1483 | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 931 | $ 441 | $ 1,140 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 154 | 125 | 156 | 140 | 135 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $7,700,000 | $1,445,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | — | 6 | — | 3 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PW207D1 | Arrius 2R | PW207C | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 862 | 1100 | 505 | 735 | 1020 | 420 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | 76 | 32.3 | — | — | 35 | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 127.8 | 216.9 | 84.85 | 152 | — | 64 | 159 |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 41.4 | 43 | 42.48 | 42.5 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 10.2 | 12.39 | 10.65 | 11.5 | — | 8.7 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 35.5 | — | 26.4 | 33.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 125 | 130 | 137 | — | — | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | 26.37 | 6.51 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 5 | 4.66 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | 4 | 2.75 | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | 74 | 18 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | 7.17 | — | — | — | — |