Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer
In category, the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger are both modern twin‑engine light/medium utility helicopters commonly used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport, while the MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter best known for its NOTAR (no tail rotor) design, which can be advantageous for operations near people and obstacles. On range, the H145 and Bell 429 typically sit in a similar class with mid‑hundreds of nautical miles of practical range depending on fuel configuration and mission profile, while the MD 902 is generally comparable but often viewed as slightly more limited in real‑world range versus the newest airframes when similarly equipped. On passenger capacity, the H145 usually offers the most flexible cabin and can be configured for higher passenger counts in utility seating, the Bell 429 typically accommodates a similar but often slightly lower maximum passenger load with a strong emphasis on corporate/EMS layouts, and the MD 902 commonly carries fewer passengers overall, though it remains competitive for specialized missions and smaller-group transport.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.54 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | MD Helicotpers |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | MD 902 Exlplorer |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 365 | 317 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2535 | 3125 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 988 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G500H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 148 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $7,250,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207E |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 710 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | 65 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 159 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 40.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.25 | 12 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 33.9 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 130 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 74 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — |