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

In category, the Airbus Helicopters H135 and the MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer are typically positioned as light twin-engine helicopters, often favored for EMS, law enforcement, and utility roles. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger and the Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger (a wheeled-landing-gear variant) sit at the upper end of the light twin class, commonly marketed with a more spacious cabin and strong IFR/EMS credentials; the 429WLG’s main distinction is ground-handling convenience rather than a major change in mission class. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is also a light twin, but it is frequently framed as a higher-performance, more premium transport in this segment. For range, all are broadly comparable for light twins, with typical mission ranges in the few-hundred–nautical-mile class depending heavily on fuel fit, reserves, and payload; the AW109 Grand New and Bell 429 variants are often cited toward the higher end, with the H135 and MD 902 generally competitive but configuration-dependent. For passenger capacity, most are commonly arranged for one or two pilots plus about six to seven passengers, with EMS interiors trading seats for medical equipment.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit22222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.29$ 6.05$ 7.31$ 7.54
Min Crew11111
Total Seats98888
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellBellLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerAW109 Grand NewMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342365381464317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.91$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats76666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)3124253525283125
Standard Cabin Seats76666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 931$ 1,140$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProEFISGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136148154156131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,500,000$7,700,000$ 7,800,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit22222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats98888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats76666
Standard Cabin Seats76666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207D1PW207CPW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40004000400040004000
Horsepower66011001100735710
No. of Engines22222
Fuel Burn (gph)767665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9216.9152159
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.5434342.540.6
Overall Height (ft)12.613.2512.3911.512
Rotor Diameter (ft)34363635.533.9
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