AIR.ONE

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

The Airbus Helicopters H135 is typically positioned as a light twin for EMS, police, and corporate missions, offering a moderate range (commonly in the mid–hundreds of nautical miles, mission dependent) and a practical cabin that often seats around five to seven passengers in corporate layout (or accommodates medical interiors efficiently). The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger sits a step up in cabin volume and payload for the light-twin class, generally providing similar or slightly better real-world mission range and commonly seating six to eight passengers depending on configuration. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is oriented more toward fast, premium corporate/VIP and multi-mission use; it often achieves comparable mid–hundreds-of-nautical-miles range but is frequently configured for about six to seven passengers with a higher-end cabin emphasis. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin known for its NOTAR anti-torque system and utility/EMS flexibility; it generally offers mid–hundreds-of-nautical-miles range as well, with seating typically around five to seven passengers depending on mission equipment and interior choices.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand NewMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.05$ 7.31$ 7.54
Min Crew1111
Total Seats9888
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardoMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH135429WLG GlobalRangerAW109 Grand NewMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342381464317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.91$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats7666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)312425283125
Standard Cabin Seats7666
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 1,140$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProEFISGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136154156131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,700,000$ 7,800,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1111
Total Seats9888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats7666
Standard Cabin Seats7666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesNo
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207CPW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040004000
Horsepower6601100735710
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)7665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9152159
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.54342.540.6
Overall Height (ft)12.612.3911.512
Rotor Diameter (ft)343635.533.9
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