Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Cessna Citation Longitude vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Gulfstream G280 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are twin‑engine helicopters suited to short‑range missions; they trade jet-like range for point‑to‑point flexibility and typically carry a small cabin group, roughly five to seven passengers depending on configuration. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet optimized for versatility, combining a relatively spacious cabin with the ability to use shorter or less‑prepared runways; it generally carries about six to ten passengers on missions in the roughly 2,000‑nautical‑mile class. The Embraer Phenom 300E is also a light jet but is more speed‑and‑efficiency focused, commonly seating six to eight and offering a similar general range class, often around 2,000 nautical miles. Stepping up, the Cessna Citation Longitude is a super‑midsize business jet with a larger, stand‑up‑friendly cabin feel, typically seating eight to twelve and reaching roughly 3,000+ nautical miles. The Gulfstream G280 is likewise super‑midsize, usually configured for about eight to ten passengers, with transcontinental capability in the same 3,000+ nautical‑mile range bracket.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Cessna Citation Longitude | Embraer Phenom 300E | Gulfstream G280 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.05 | $ 5.23 | $ 3.88 | $ 6.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | — | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Gulfstream | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | Longitude | Phenom 300E | G280 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA Certified | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 381 | 3500 | 2,010 | 3600 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.65 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.82 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2528 | — | 6914 | 15550 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 2,500 | $ 1,758 | $ 3,168 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 154 | 481 | 464 | 481 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,700,000 | $29,965,000 | $9,650,000 | $24,900,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No | No | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9.7 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Galley | Galley | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 25400 | 25560 | 25000 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | 5800 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | HTF7700L | Canada PW535E1 | HTF7250G | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | — | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | On-Condition | 5000 | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1100 | — | — | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | — | — | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 19 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 7665 | 3360 | 7624 | 3435 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | 1478 | 757 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 43 | 73.2 | 51.2 | 66.9 | 52.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 12.39 | 19.4 | 16.75 | 21.4 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 130 | — | — | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 6.4 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | 25.2 | 17.2 | 25.9 | 23 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | — | 74 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 68.9 | 52.16 | 63 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor | 0.3 | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 4.1 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 16.5 | 14.8 | 17.7 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 112 | 10 | 154 | 90 |