Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw169
All three are modern twin‑engine civil helicopters, but they sit in slightly different weight and mission brackets. The Airbus Helicopters H160 is a newer‑generation medium twin aimed at offshore, corporate, and high‑utilization public services; it typically offers the longest reach in this group, with a practical range often around the mid‑400 to 500+ nautical mile class depending on fit and reserves. The Leonardo AW169 is also a medium twin positioned for EMS, law enforcement, and utility/corporate roles; its range is generally comparable but often a bit behind the H160 in typical configurations, commonly around the low‑400 nautical mile class. The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger is a lighter twin optimized for EMS and public‑service work with strong hot‑and‑high performance, but it usually has the shortest range of the three, often roughly in the 350–400 nautical mile class depending on equipment. For passenger capacity, the H160 and AW169 can be configured for higher counts, commonly up to around 10–12 passengers in high‑density layouts, while the Bell 429 is typically arranged for fewer, often up to about 7–8 passengers, with EMS interiors reducing seating further.
| Spec | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H160 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 460 | 381 | 440 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3992 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 154 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,000,000 | $7,700,000 | $9,450,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 6.05 | $ 11.84 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.76 | $ 0.99 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 931 | $ 1,658 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HE Arrano | PW207D1 | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 1100 | 1000 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 39.4 | 43 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 12.39 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 45.2 | 36 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 130 | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | 49.5 |