Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger
The Airbus Helicopters H145 and the Bell 429 GlobalRanger family are all twin‑engine light helicopters commonly used for HEMS, law enforcement, corporate transport, and utility missions. The H145 is typically positioned in the light twin/medium‑light segment with a slightly larger cabin feel for its class, while the Bell 429 is a light twin optimized around a spacious cabin and strong hot‑and‑high performance; the 429WLG is essentially a Bell 429 variant that retains the same core category and mission set. On range, the H145 and Bell 429 are broadly comparable for typical mission planning, with published ranges varying by fuel fit and reserves; in many common configurations they fall in the roughly 350–430 nautical mile class. The 429WLG’s range is generally similar to the standard 429, with any differences usually coming from equipment, weight, and fuel configuration rather than a fundamentally different airframe. For passenger capacity, both the H145 and Bell 429 can be configured to carry up to around 7–8 occupants including the pilot(s), depending on interior layout and mission equipment. The 429WLG does not materially change seating capacity versus the standard 429.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 381 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 154 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 1100 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | 76 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 216.9 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 43 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 36 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 130 | 130 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 74 | 74 |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | 26.37 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | 6.58 |