Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
In category terms, the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are modern twin‑engine light/medium utility helicopters designed around multi‑mission work and higher cabin volume, while the Leonardo AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker sit in the lighter twin‑engine segment with a stronger emphasis on speed and premium passenger transport (Grand New) or utility flexibility with skid gear (Trekker). For range, the H145 and Bell 429WLG generally offer the longer practical reach in typical mission configurations, with the 429WLG often competitive on endurance and the H145 frequently benefiting from mission‑optimized fuel and payload flexibility; both AW109 variants usually deliver solid but somewhat shorter ranges depending on fit and reserves, with the Grand New commonly optimized for fast point‑to‑point travel and the Trekker for versatile operations. For passenger capacity, the H145 typically leads with the most usable cabin volume and seating options, the Bell 429WLG follows closely with a spacious cabin for its class, and the AW109 Grand New and AW109 Trekker usually carry slightly fewer passengers in standard layouts, though they can be configured for executive or utility seating as needed.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 381 | 464 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 2528 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 154 | 156 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1100 | 735 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 152 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 43 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 12.39 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| 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 | — | — |