Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 412epi vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169
The Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW169 sit in the light‑twin category, typically carrying about 6–9 passengers with ranges roughly in the 300–450 nautical mile class depending on fit and reserves; the H145 often emphasizes compact footprint and utility, while the AW169 commonly trades up in cabin volume and speed. The Bell 429 is also a light twin, usually around 6–7 passengers with broadly similar short‑to‑mid ranges. Moving up, the Airbus H160 is a medium twin, generally configured for about 8–12 passengers with a midrange profile around 400–500 nautical miles, aimed at higher cruise efficiency and comfort. The Bell 412EPi remains a medium utility twin, commonly 10–13 passengers with ranges often around 350–450 nautical miles, prioritizing lift and rugged operations. In the super‑medium class, the Airbus H175 and Leonardo AW139 typically seat about 12–16 passengers and deliver longer practical ranges roughly in the 450–650 nautical mile bracket, with the AW139 widely used for fast, high‑payload missions. The Bell 525 is a newer super‑medium, typically around 12–16 passengers with range also in the 500–650+ nautical mile class, targeting higher speed and modern avionics.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H160 | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 412EPi | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | — | $ 13.53 | $ 12.09 | $ 6.29 | — | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | H160 | H175 | 412EPi | 429 GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless | AW139 | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 460 | 573 | 361 | 365 | 580 | 573 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | — | $ 0.75 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.79 | — | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 3992 | 6797 | 4829 | 2535 | 6675 | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | — | $ 2,016 | $ 1,487 | $ 931 | — | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 155 | 149 | 123 | 148 | 160 | 165 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $14,000,000 | $17,900,000 | $ 12,500,000 | $7,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | HE Arrano | PT6A-67E | PT6T-9 | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 | PT6C-67C | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | — | 1775 | 1370 | 1100 | 1800 | 1679 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 113 | 76 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | — | 330.5 | 216.9 | 641 | 414 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 39.4 | 59.2 | 52.1 | 43 | 61.58 | 54.7 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.1 | 17.5 | 11.5 | 13.25 | 18.18 | 16.4 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 45.2 | 48.5 | 46 | 36 | 54.5 | 54.7 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | — | 423.8 | 220 | 130 | — | 282 | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | — | 81.9 | 28 | 74 | 128 | 120 | 49.5 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | 33 | 26.37 | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | — | 5 | 7.58 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | — | 6.58 | 15.5 | — | — |