Beechcraft Baron G58 vs Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan
The Beechcraft Baron G58 is a high-performance, twin‑engine piston aircraft typically used for fast personal and light business travel. It generally carries about five to six people with useful load depending on equipment, and it offers solid cross‑country range on the order of roughly 800–1,300 nm. The Cessna Skyhawk (172) is a simple, single‑engine piston trainer and personal aircraft. It is usually a four‑seat airplane and is best for shorter trips, commonly around 500–700 nm with reserves. The Cessna Turbo Stationair (T206) is a single‑engine, turbocharged piston utility aircraft oriented to heavier loads and higher‑altitude capability. It typically seats six and often provides midrange cross‑country capability, roughly 600–900 nm depending on power settings and payload. The Cessna Caravan (208/208B) is a single‑engine turboprop built for rugged utility, cargo, and regional transport. It commonly seats nine to fourteen (configuration dependent) and offers practical range roughly around 900–1,200 nm, trading speed for payload and versatility.
| Spec | Beechcraft Baron G58 | Cessna Skyhawk | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.72 | $ 0.95 | $ 1.08 | $ 3.07 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | Baron G58 | 172 Skyhawk | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1480 | 640 | 703 | 1070 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.29 | $ 0.24 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1450 | — | — | 3305 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — | 4 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 347 | $ 118 | $ 174 | $ 571 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 202 | 124 | 161 | 186 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,495,000 | $415,000 | $745,000 | $2,355,000 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 9 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — | 4 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | No |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 9 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | — | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | No |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | Yes |
| Model | IO-550-C | IO-360-L2A | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 2000 | 2000 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 200 | 350 | 675 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 194 | 42 | 87 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 31 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 29.9 | 27.2 | 28.3 | 37.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 37.9 | 36.1 | 36 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 11.9 | 12.1 | 12.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.8 | 9 | 9.4 | 15 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 150 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 46 | 30 | 11 | 32 |