Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
The Airbus Helicopters H145, Bell 429 GlobalRanger, Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger, and Leonardo AW109 Trekker all sit in the light twin‑engine, multi‑role category commonly used for EMS, law enforcement, corporate transport, and utility work. In broad terms, the H145 is often positioned at the upper end of this light‑twin group for cabin volume and mission flexibility, while the Bell 429 variants are closely comparable as modern light twins optimized for fast, efficient operations. The 429WLG (wheeled landing gear) is essentially the same aircraft as the standard 429, but with gear changes that can favor certain ground-handling and airport operations, with little practical impact on typical range or seating. For range, all four generally fall into a similar light‑twin bracket, with typical mission ranges commonly in the few‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class depending heavily on fuel fit, reserves, and payload; in practice the H145 and Bell 429 families are often viewed as broadly comparable, with the AW109 Trekker also competitive and frequently marketed for speed and efficient point‑to‑point legs. Passenger capacity is typically up to around 6–8 passengers (plus 1–2 pilots) depending on interior and mission equipment, with the H145 often able to accommodate higher-density cabin layouts than the others.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 381 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 154 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | 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 | — |