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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer

By category, the Airbus H135, Bell 429 GlobalRanger (including the 429WLG), Leonardo AW109 Grand New, and MD 902 Explorer are typically positioned as light twin‑engine utility/EMS/corporate helicopters, while the Leonardo AW119Kx is a light single‑engine helicopter often used for training, utility, and patrol missions where lower operating cost and simplicity are priorities. In range terms, all are broadly short‑to‑medium range aircraft, but the AW109 Grand New is commonly regarded as among the longer‑legged in this group for light twins, with the Bell 429/429WLG and H135 generally comparable and mission‑dependent, and the MD 902 often competitive for utility profiles. The AW119Kx can offer strong endurance for a single, but its practical mission range is constrained by single‑engine operational considerations and payload tradeoffs. For passenger capacity, the Bell 429 family and H135 are frequently configured around six to seven passengers plus one or two pilots, the AW109 Grand New is similar but often optimized for VIP seating layouts, the MD 902 is commonly configured for about five to seven passengers, and the AW119Kx typically carries about six to seven passengers plus a pilot depending on interior and mission equipment.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119KxMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit222222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.29$ 6.05$ 7.31$ 6.76$ 7.54
Min Crew111111
Total Seats988888
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerAW109 Grand NewAW119KxMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342365381464515317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.91$ 0.84$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats766666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)3124253525283125
Standard Cabin Seats766666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 931$ 1,140$ 885$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProEFISGarmin G1000HGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136148154156131131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,500,000$7,700,000$ 7,800,000 $3,850,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit222222
Min Crew111111
Total Seats988888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats766666
Standard Cabin Seats766666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207D1PW207CPT6B-37APW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000400045004000
Horsepower66011001100735917710
No. of Engines222212
Fuel Burn (gph)767665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9216.9152160159
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.5434342.542.540.6
Overall Height (ft)12.613.2512.3911.511.912
Rotor Diameter (ft)34363635.535.533.9
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173130130
Width (ft)26.3726.37
Cabin Width (ft)55
Cabin Height (ft)44
Cabin Length (ft)6.586.58
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)7474