Bell 407gxi vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429 Globalranger
The Bell 407GXi and Bell 429 GlobalRanger are both single-main-rotor light helicopters, while the Airbus H135 is a light twin-engine helicopter with a fenestron (enclosed) tail rotor, often favored where lower external noise and added redundancy are priorities. In typical use, all three fall into the light helicopter category, but the H135 and Bell 429 are commonly positioned as light twins suited to EMS, law enforcement, and corporate missions, whereas the 407GXi is a high-performance light single often chosen for utility, training, and cost-sensitive operations. For range, the Bell 407GXi is generally competitive for a light single, while the H135 and Bell 429 typically offer similar or somewhat mission-dependent ranges that can vary noticeably with cabin fit-out, fuel options, payload, and reserves; in practice they are broadly comparable for regional flights rather than long-haul transport. For passenger capacity, the Bell 407GXi is commonly configured for one pilot plus about five to six passengers, the Airbus H135 for one to two pilots plus about five to six passengers, and the Bell 429 for one to two pilots plus about six to seven passengers, with the 429 usually offering the most cabin volume and seating flexibility among the three.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | Bell 429 GlobalRanger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 6.29 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 407GXi | 429 GlobalRanger |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 337 | 365 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.79 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2300 | 2535 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 931 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 148 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $7,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PW207D1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 862 | 1100 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | 76 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 127.8 | 216.9 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 41.4 | 43 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 10.2 | 13.25 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 125 | 130 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | 26.37 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | 4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | 74 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 |