Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
Airbus Helicopters’ H145 is a midsize twin valued for a roomy cabin and efficient performance; depending on interior fit it typically carries about eight to nine passengers and offers a solid medium-range capability, generally around the mid‑300 nautical mile class. Bell’s 429 GlobalRanger sits in the light twin category with a similar typical passenger count (about six to seven plus crew) and comparable medium-range figures in the roughly 350–400 nautical mile bracket. The Bell 429WLG (wheeled landing gear) is essentially the same aircraft in category, range, and capacity as the standard 429, trading skid simplicity for ground-handling convenience with only minor payload/performance differences in practice. Leonardo’s AW109 Grand New is a light twin optimized for speed and executive transport; it commonly accommodates six to seven passengers and tends to be in the same general range class as the 429, often edging toward the upper end depending on configuration. The AW109 Trekker is also a light twin but geared more toward utility and mixed missions; passenger capacity is similar to the Grand New, with range typically comparable, varying with optional tanks and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 381 | 464 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 154 | 156 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 735 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | 152 | 152 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| 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 | — | — |