Bell 429 Globalranger vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New
The Bell 429 GlobalRanger and Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are essentially the same aircraft category: modern, twin‑engine, light/medium‑class utility helicopters optimized for EMS, law enforcement, offshore support, and corporate transport. Compared with the Leonardo AW109 GrandNew, both 429 variants generally emphasize a roomier cabin cross‑section and mission flexibility, while the AW109 leans more toward high cruise performance and executive transport heritage in the light twin segment. In range, all three are broadly comparable for typical light twin missions, but exact figures vary significantly with fuel tank options, payload, reserves, and operating profile. As a rule of thumb, the Bell 429 family tends to offer strong endurance and mission radius in utility configurations, while the AW109 GrandNew can be very competitive on longer legs depending on fit and power settings. For passenger capacity, the Bell 429 typically seats one or two pilots with up to six or seven passengers depending on interior and mission kit, whereas the AW109 GrandNew is commonly configured for one or two pilots with about six passengers in an executive layout, with other layouts possible.
| Spec | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.29 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 429 GlobalRanger | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 365 | 381 | 464 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2535 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 931 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Bell BasiX-Pro | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 148 | 154 | 156 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,500,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW207D1 | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1100 | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 76 | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 216.9 | 216.9 | 152 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 26.37 | 26.37 | — |
| Length (ft) | 43 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 6.58 | 6.58 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.25 | 12.39 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 130 | 130 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 74 | 74 | — |