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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx

The Airbus Helicopters H135, Bell 429 GlobalRanger, and Leonardo AW109 Trekker are light twin‑engine helicopters aimed at short‑to‑medium range missions with strong vertical-access flexibility, while the Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop airplane designed for longer point‑to‑point travel from short or unimproved runways. In range terms, the helicopters typically sit in the several-hundred–nautical-mile class depending on fuel, payload, and reserves; among them, the AW109 Trekker often emphasizes speed and a relatively strong cruise/range balance, the Bell 429 is optimized for cabin utility and mission equipment, and the H135 is widely used for EMS and law-enforcement profiles with efficient regional legs. The PC‑12 NGX generally offers substantially greater range than any of these helicopters, commonly enabling trips around the 1,500+ nautical mile class with reserves, making it better suited to intercity or cross‑region missions. For passenger capacity, all three helicopters usually carry about six to seven passengers plus one or two pilots in typical layouts, whereas the PC‑12 NGX is commonly configured for about six to nine passengers plus one or two pilots, with more baggage volume and cabin comfort for longer flights.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429 GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 TrekkerPilatus PC-12 NGX
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.29$ 7.40$ 2.78
Min Crew1111
Total Seats9888
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoPilatus
Aircraft NameH135429 GlobalRangerAW109 TrekkerPC-12 NGX
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)3423654501803
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.46
Max Cabin Seats7669
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)31242535
Standard Cabin Seats7666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 1,125$ 793
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProGenesys AerosystemsHoneywell Primus Apex
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136148152290
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,500,000 $6,950,000 $5,350,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1111
Total Seats9888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats7669
Standard Cabin Seats7666
LavatoryOptional
Cargo DoorYes
Lavatory LocationFWD
Cabin Pressure (psi)5.8
Galley / RefreshmentNo
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)13100
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207CPT6E-67XP
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040005000
Horsepower66011007351200
No. of Engines2221
Fuel Burn (gph)76
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9152
Flat RatingISA + 35
Usable Fuel (gal)402
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.54342.547.25
Overall Height (ft)12.613.2511.514
Rotor Diameter (ft)343635.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173130
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)55
Cabin Height (ft)44.9
Cabin Length (ft)6.5816.9
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)74
Wingspan (ft)53.33
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.25
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)40