Bell 407gxi vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Enstrom Helicotper 480b G vs Leonardo Sh09 vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Robinson Helicopters R66
The Bell 505, MD 500E, Enstrom 480B‑G, and Robinson R66 sit in the light single‑engine utility/training category, typically carrying about four to five passengers plus a pilot depending on interior fit; among them, the R66 and 480B‑G generally offer the strongest practical range, while the 505 and 500E are often chosen for simplicity, agility, and local missions rather than maximum legs. The Bell 407GXi is a larger, higher‑performance single‑engine aircraft in the light/intermediate class, commonly configured for about six passengers, with range that is generally competitive or better than most smaller singles when similarly equipped. The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger and MD 902 Explorer are light twin‑engine helicopters aimed at EMS, corporate, and IFR‑leaning operations, usually accommodating around six to seven passengers; they tend to deliver solid mission range with the redundancy of two engines. The Leonardo “SH09” (often referred to as AW09) is a modern light single positioned between the 407 and smaller singles, typically around six passengers with range intended to be strong for its class.
| Spec | Bell 407GXi | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 505 JetRanger X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO SH09 | MD Helicopters MD 500E | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.43 | $ 6.05 | $ 3.53 | $4.48 | $ 2.95 | $ 7.54 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | 407GXi | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 505 JetRanger X | SH09 | MD 500E | MD 902 Exlplorer | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In-Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 337 | 381 | 306 | 430 | 258 | 317 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.71 | $0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.70 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | — | 6 | 3 | 6 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2300 | 2528 | 1500 | — | 1483 | 3125 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 589 | $ 931 | $ 441 | $627 | $ 398 | $ 988 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000H NXI | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H | EFIS | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 133 | 154 | 125 | 140 | 135 | 131 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,225,000 | $7,700,000 | $1,445,000 | $3,500,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $7,250,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Max Passengers | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | — | — | 3 | 6 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | No | No | No |
| Model | M250-C47E/4 | PW207D1 | Arrius 2R | HTS 900 | 250-C20B | PW207E | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 5500 | 3500 | 4000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 862 | 1100 | 505 | 1020 | 420 | 710 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 46 | 76 | 32.3 | — | 35 | 65 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 127.8 | 216.9 | 84.85 | — | 64 | 159 | 73.6 |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Width (ft) | 25.4 | 26.37 | 6.51 | — | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 41.4 | 43 | 42.48 | — | 30.9 | 40.6 | 38.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | 5 | 4.66 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 3.9 | 4 | 2.75 | — | — | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10.2 | 12.39 | 10.65 | — | 8.7 | 12 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 35 | 36 | 37 | — | 26.4 | 33.9 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 125 | 130 | 137 | — | — | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 16 | 74 | 18 | — | — | — | 18 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | 7.17 | — | — | — | — |