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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.

SpecBell 429 GlobalRangerBell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 6.29$ 6.05$ 7.31
Min Crew111
Total Seats888
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerBellBellLeonardo
Aircraft Name429 GlobalRanger429WLG GlobalRangerAW109 Grand New
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)365381464
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.91
Max Cabin Seats666
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)25352528
Standard Cabin Seats666
Direct Operating Cost$ 931$ 931$ 1,140
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Bell BasiX-ProBell BasiX-ProEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)148154156
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$7,500,000$7,700,000$ 7,800,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats888
Max Cabin Seats666
Standard Cabin Seats666
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelPW207D1PW207D1PW207C
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000
Horsepower11001100735
No. of Engines222
Fuel Burn (gph)7676
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9216.9152
Dimensions
Width (ft)26.3726.37
Length (ft)434342.5
Cabin Width (ft)55
Cabin Height (ft)44
Cabin Length (ft)6.586.58
Overall Height (ft)13.2512.3911.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)363635.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)130130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)7474