Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
All four are twin‑engine light helicopters, but they target slightly different missions. The Airbus Helicopters H135 is commonly positioned as a light twin for training, EMS, and utility work, typically offering short‑to‑medium range capability and seating around six to seven passengers depending on configuration. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is in the same general category but is often treated as the more “cabin‑forward” option in the light twin segment, with similar passenger capacity (about six to seven) and competitive range that tends to be in the same short‑to‑medium band. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is a light twin with a stronger emphasis on high‑speed, VIP/corporate transport, generally carrying about six to seven passengers and delivering a comparable short‑to‑medium range profile, sometimes optimized toward faster cruise rather than maximum endurance. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is also a light twin, but geared more toward utility and mixed‑mission operations; it typically retains similar passenger capacity while offering range and performance tuned for operational flexibility rather than pure VIP fit and finish.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 365 | 464 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2535 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 148 | 156 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1100 | 735 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 152 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13.25 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 130 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | — | — |