Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger, Leonardo AW169, and Sikorsky S‑76D all sit in the light-to-intermediate twin‑engine helicopter class, but they target slightly different missions. The Bell 429 is generally positioned as a light twin for EMS, law enforcement, utility, and corporate transport, with typical seating around 6–7 passengers in a standard cabin layout (higher for certain configurations). The AW169 is commonly considered a larger, more “intermediate” light twin, aimed at corporate/VIP and offshore/utility roles, and typically carries about 8–10 passengers depending on interior. The S‑76D is an established intermediate twin often associated with executive and offshore operations, typically seating about 8 passengers in executive/offshore layouts. In range, the AW169 and S‑76D are generally competitive with one another and often come out ahead of the Bell 429 in typical mission fit, though exact figures vary significantly with fuel options, payload, reserves, and conditions. The Bell 429 usually offers solid regional legs, while the AW169 and S‑76D are more often selected when longer sectors or heavier passenger loads are expected.
| Spec | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.05 | $ 11.84 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW169 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 381 | 440 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.76 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2528 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 931 | $ 1,658 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 154 | 140 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,700,000 | $9,450,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW207D1 | PW210A | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1100 | 1000 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 216.9 | — | 296 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 26.37 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 43 | 48.1 | 52.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 6.58 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.39 | 14.8 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36 | — | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 130 | 222.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 74 | 49.5 | — |