AIR.ONE

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.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429 GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.29$ 7.31$ 7.40
Min Crew1111
Total Seats9888
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoLeonardo
Aircraft NameH135429 GlobalRangerAW109 Grand NewAW109 Trekker
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342365464450
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.79$ 0.91$ 0.93
Max Cabin Seats7666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)31242535
Standard Cabin Seats7666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 1,140$ 1,125
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProEFISGenesys Aerosystems
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136148156152
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,500,000$ 7,800,000 $6,950,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1111
Total Seats9888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats7666
Standard Cabin Seats7666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207CPW207C
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040004000
Horsepower6601100735735
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)76
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9152152
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.54342.542.5
Overall Height (ft)12.613.2511.511.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)343635.535.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173130
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)4
Cabin Length (ft)6.58
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)74