AIR.ONE

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

By category, the Airbus Helicopters H135 and MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer are typically positioned as light twin-engine utility/EMS helicopters, valued for compact footprints and strong mission adaptability. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger sits at the upper end of the light-twin segment, often viewed as a roomier light twin suited to corporate, HEMS, and public-safety roles. Leonardo’s AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker are light twin-engine helicopters with a stronger tilt toward high-speed executive and VIP transport, with the Trekker generally emphasizing utility flexibility while retaining the AW109 performance character. In range, all five are in broadly comparable light-twin territory, but the AW109 variants and Bell 429 commonly advertise the longer legs in typical configurations, while the H135 and MD 902 often prioritize role equipment, cabin access, and operating economics over maximum cruise range. For passenger capacity, these aircraft generally seat around six to seven passengers in typical corporate layouts, with the Bell 429 and AW109s often configured up to seven or eight seats depending on interior and mission fit, while the H135 and MD 902 commonly field six to seven with more space allocated to medical or mission equipment when required.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429 GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 TrekkerMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit22222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.29$ 7.31$ 7.40$ 7.54
Min Crew11111
Total Seats98888
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135429 GlobalRangerAW109 Grand NewAW109 TrekkerMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342365464450317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.79$ 0.91$ 0.93$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats76666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)312425353125
Standard Cabin Seats76666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 1,140$ 1,125$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProEFISGenesys AerosystemsGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136148156152131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,500,000$ 7,800,000 $6,950,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit22222
Min Crew11111
Total Seats98888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats76666
Standard Cabin Seats76666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207CPW207CPW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40004000400040004000
Horsepower6601100735735710
No. of Engines22222
Fuel Burn (gph)7665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9152152159
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.54342.542.540.6
Overall Height (ft)12.613.2511.511.512
Rotor Diameter (ft)343635.535.533.9
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