Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
In category, the Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger are twin‑engine light helicopters widely used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate missions, with the Bell generally positioned as a slightly larger, higher‑power light twin. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is also a light twin, notable for its NOTAR (no tail rotor) anti‑torque system, often favored where low external noise and tail‑rotor risk reduction matter. The Leonardo AW119Kx is the outlier as a single‑engine light helicopter, typically chosen for lower operating cost, training, utility, and passenger transport where single‑engine operations fit the mission profile. On range, all four sit in broadly comparable light‑helicopter territory: the AW119Kx often achieves strong range for its class thanks to single‑engine efficiency, while the H135, Bell 429, and MD 902 deliver similar practical ranges that depend heavily on payload, reserves, and optional tanks. For passenger capacity, the AW119Kx commonly carries about six to seven passengers, the H135 typically around six to seven, the MD 902 about seven, and the Bell 429 generally leads with up to seven to eight in standard high‑density configurations.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.76 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW119Kx | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 365 | 515 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2535 | — | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 885 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 148 | 131 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,500,000 | $3,850,000 | $7,250,000 |
| 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 | No |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PT6B-37A | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1100 | 917 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 160 | 159 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 43 | 42.5 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13.25 | 11.9 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36 | 35.5 | 33.9 |
| 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 | — | — |