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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 381 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | 2528 | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 154 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $7,250,000 |
| 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 | No |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 1100 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | 76 | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 216.9 | 159 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 43 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 12.39 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | 33.9 |
| 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 | — |