Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
In category, the Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are typically positioned as light twin‑engine, multi‑mission helicopters optimized for EMS, police, and utility roles, with the H135 often emphasized for high-frequency public service operations and the 429 noted for cabin volume and speed in the light‑twin class. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker also sit in the light twin category, but are commonly marketed closer to the “light twin/entry VIP” end, with the Grand New more luxury‑leaning and the Trekker oriented toward utility with features such as skids and rough-field flexibility. On range, all four are broadly comparable in the light‑twin segment; typical mission ranges are in the several-hundred‑nautical‑mile class, with the AW109 variants and Bell 429 often advertised toward the higher end depending on configuration and reserves, while the H135 is frequently optimized around shorter to medium public-service sectors. For passenger capacity, the H135 and Bell 429 commonly seat a pilot plus about six to seven passengers in transport layouts, while AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker are usually configured for a pilot plus six to seven, with VIP interiors often reducing seats.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 381 | 464 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2528 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 154 | 156 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1100 | 735 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 152 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 12.39 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| 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 | — | — |