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Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer

In category, the Airbus Helicopters H145 is a light twin-engine helicopter widely used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate missions, with strong hot-and-high and single-pilot IFR options depending on configuration. The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is also a light twin aimed at EMS and corporate transport, emphasizing a roomy cabin and smooth IFR capability; the Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger is essentially the same aircraft category and mission set, with WLG denoting a wheeled landing-gear variant that can better suit ramp handling and certain operating preferences. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin as well, notable for its NOTAR anti-torque system and a cabin often favored for EMS/police layouts. On range, all four are broadly comparable in typical mission profiles, generally in the few-hundred–nautical-mile class depending on fuel, payload, and reserves; the H145 and Bell 429 variants are commonly cited as slightly longer-legged in many configurations, while MD 902 range is competitive but often a bit lower depending on fit. For passenger capacity, the H145 and Bell 429 variants typically seat one or two pilots plus about six to seven passengers in common corporate layouts, while the MD 902 commonly carries one or two pilots plus roughly five to six passengers, configuration-dependent.

SpecAIRBUS H145Bell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 9.31$ 6.29$ 6.05$ 7.54
Min Crew1111
Total Seats10888
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellBellMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH145429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)352365381317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.93$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats9666
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)4200253525283125
Standard Cabin Seats8666
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,210$ 931$ 931$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISBell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)130148154131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$10,200,000$7,500,000$7,700,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1111
Total Seats10888
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats9666
Standard Cabin Seats8666
Engine
FADECYesYesYesNo
ModelArriel 2EPW207D1PW207D1PW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040004000
Horsepower89411001100710
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)767665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9216.9159
Dimensions
Length (ft)44.8434340.6
Overall Height (ft)1313.2512.3912
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.1363633.9
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)166130130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.87474
Width (ft)26.3726.37
Cabin Width (ft)55
Cabin Height (ft)44
Cabin Length (ft)6.586.58