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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 365 | 381 | 464 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2535 | 2528 | — | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 148 | 154 | 156 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1100 | 1100 | 735 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | 76 | — | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | 152 | 159 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 43 | 43 | 42.5 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 11.5 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36 | 36 | 35.5 | 33.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 130 | 130 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | 26.37 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | 6.58 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | 74 | — | — |