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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.

SpecAIRBUS H145Bell 429 GlobalRangerMD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 9.31$ 6.29$ 7.54
Min Crew111
Total Seats1088
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellMD Helicotpers
Aircraft NameH145429 GlobalRangerMD 902 Exlplorer
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)352365317
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.93$ 0.79$ 0.94
Max Cabin Seats966
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)420025353125
Standard Cabin Seats866
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,210$ 931$ 988
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISBell BasiX-ProGarmin G500H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)130148131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$10,200,000$7,500,000 $7,250,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats1088
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats966
Standard Cabin Seats866
Engine
FADECYesYesNo
ModelArriel 2EPW207D1PW207E
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000
Horsepower8941100710
No. of Engines222
Fuel Burn (gph)7665
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9159
Dimensions
Length (ft)44.84340.6
Overall Height (ft)1313.2512
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.13633.9
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)166130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.874
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)4
Cabin Length (ft)6.58