Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw139
The Airbus Helicopters H145 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger sit in the light twin category, typically used for EMS, law enforcement, and utility work. Both generally offer moderate range and cabin space, with the H145 commonly configured for about 8–10 passengers (or fewer with medical interiors), while the Bell 429 is often arranged around 6–8 passengers depending on layout and mission equipment. Leonardo’s AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker are also light twins, positioned toward fast executive and multipurpose roles. Their passenger capacity is usually in the 6–8 range, with competitive but generally “light-class” range suited to regional missions; the Trekker emphasizes versatility and operations from more varied surfaces, while the Grand New leans more toward premium transport. The Leonardo AW139 is a clear step up into the medium twin category. It typically carries more people—often around 12–15 passengers in high-density layouts—and generally delivers longer range and higher payload capability than the light twins, making it more suitable for offshore, SAR, and larger-scale utility missions.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 | $ 11.69 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker | AW139 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 464 | 450 | 573 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.69 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | — | — | 4701 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 | $ 1,929 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 156 | 152 | 165 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 | $15,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 17 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207C | PT6C-67C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 735 | 735 | 1679 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 152 | 152 | 414 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 54.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 16.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 | 54.7 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 130 | — | — | 282 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 74 | — | — | 120 |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — | — | — |