Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw119kx vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Sikorsky S 76d
In category, the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger are modern light‑twin utility helicopters, typically used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate missions. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is also a light twin but leans more toward fast VIP/corporate transport. The Leonardo AW119Kx is the outlier as a single‑engine light helicopter, often chosen for lower operating cost roles like training, utility, and some EMS configurations. Stepping up, the Leonardo AW169 is a larger intermediate twin with more cabin volume and payload for EMS, offshore support, and multi‑role missions. The Sikorsky S‑76D is a medium twin, commonly positioned for high-end corporate and offshore transport with strong performance and refinement. On range, these aircraft broadly overlap in typical mission planning: light twins like the H145, Bell 429, and AW109 generally offer mid-range capability; the AW119Kx is similar but depends more on payload and reserves; the AW169 and S‑76D typically provide longer legs and better fuel/reserve flexibility. On passenger capacity, light twins usually seat about 6–8 passengers (plus crew), the AW119Kx commonly around 6–7, while the AW169 and S‑76D more often accommodate roughly 8–12 depending on layout.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.31 | $ 6.76 | $ 11.84 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW119Kx | AW169 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 464 | 515 | 440 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | — | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 885 | $ 1,658 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 156 | 131 | 140 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $3,850,000 | $9,450,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207C | PT6B-37A | PW210A | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 735 | 917 | 1000 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 152 | 160 | — | 296 |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 48.1 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 11.5 | 11.9 | 14.8 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 | — | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 130 | — | — | 222.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 74 | — | — | 49.5 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — | — | — | — |