Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw169
The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is typically positioned as a light twin designed for short-to-medium missions, offering solid practical range and a cabin sized for roughly six to seven passengers plus crew, depending on configuration. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is also a light twin, generally comparable in passenger count (often six to seven), but it is commonly viewed as the faster, sleeker option for executive transport, with range that can be competitive in its class depending on fuel and interior choices. The Leonardo AW169 steps up into the intermediate-light segment, bringing a larger cabin and higher useful load; it is usually configured for more passengers than the two light twins (often eight to ten), and it tends to support longer, more flexible missions thanks to greater fuel capacity and performance margins. In category terms, the Bell 429 and AW109 Grand New compete most directly as light twins, while the AW169 sits one class higher, trading higher acquisition and operating costs for more cabin volume, payload capability, and mission versatility.
| Spec | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.29 | $ 7.31 | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 365 | 464 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2535 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 148 | 156 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW207D1 | PW207C | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1100 | 735 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 216.9 | 152 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 26.37 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 43 | 42.5 | 48.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 6.58 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.25 | 11.5 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36 | 35.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 130 | — | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 74 | — | 49.5 |