Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189
In category, the Airbus Helicopters H155, Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger, Leonardo AW109 Grand New, and Leonardo AW169 are typically grouped as light-to-intermediate twin-engine helicopters (with the AW109 on the lighter end and the H155/AW169 toward the upper end). The Leonardo AW139 and Bell 525 Relentless sit in the medium twin class, generally offering larger cabins and higher payload potential. The Leonardo AW189 is in the super-medium class, optimized for longer-range, higher-capacity missions. For range, the AW109 and Bell 429 are commonly used on shorter regional sectors, while the H155 and AW169 tend to provide a step up in practical mission radius. The AW139 and Bell 525 usually extend that further into medium-range territory, and the AW189 is generally the strongest of this set for longer-range operations. For passenger capacity, the AW109 and Bell 429 are commonly configured around 6–8 passengers, the H155 and AW169 often around 8–10, the AW139 and Bell 525 frequently around 10–14, and the AW189 typically around 16–19 depending on configuration.
| Spec | AIRBUS H155 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 11.06 | $ 6.05 | — | $ 7.31 | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 12 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H155 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless | AW109 Grand New | AW139 | AW169 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 423 | 381 | 580 | 464 | 573 | 440 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.76 | — | $ 0.91 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4012 | 2528 | 6675 | — | 4701 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,593 | $ 931 | — | $ 1,140 | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 144 | 154 | 160 | 156 | 165 | 140 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,800,000 | $7,700,000 | $15,000,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 12 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2C2 | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 | PW207C | PT6C-67C | PW210A | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 943 | 1100 | 1800 | 735 | 1679 | 1000 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 332 | 216.9 | 641 | 152 | 414 | — | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | 46.9 | 43 | 61.58 | 42.5 | 54.7 | 48.1 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.3 | 12.39 | 18.18 | 11.5 | 16.4 | 14.8 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 41.1 | 36 | 54.5 | 35.5 | 54.7 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 235.2 | 130 | — | — | 282 | 222.5 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 88.3 | 74 | 128 | — | 120 | 49.5 | 85 |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | 25.77 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 7.58 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | 4.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | 15.5 | — | — | — | — |