Beechcraft Baron G58 vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Piper M500 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Beechcraft Baron G58 is a twin‑piston, pressurized‑optional (typically unpressurized) light aircraft suited to shorter regional trips, generally carrying about five to six people with a practical range roughly in the 800–1,200 nm class depending on load and reserves. The Cessna Caravan is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for payload and rugged operations; it typically seats up to nine passengers (plus pilot) and commonly offers about 900–1,100 nm range. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is the stretched, more powerful Caravan variant in the same utility category, also typically up to nine passengers, with broadly similar range that varies with payload, often around 900–1,200 nm. The Piper M500 is a single‑engine turboprop personal transport in the pressurized cabin class, usually configured for five to six occupants, with range commonly around 1,000–1,300 nm. The Piper M600 SLS is the higher‑performance, pressurized personal turboprop with advanced avionics/autoland, generally seating five to six, and typically stretches range into roughly the 1,200–1,500 nm class depending on configuration and mission.
| Spec | Beechcraft Baron G58 | Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Piper M500 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.72 | $ 3.07 | $ 3.15 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.19 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Baron G58 | Caravan | Grand Caravan EX | M500 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1480 | 1070 | 964 | 1000 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.29 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1450 | 3305 | 3332 | 1698 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 347 | $ 571 | $ 614 | $ 579 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 202 | 186 | 195 | 260 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,495,000 | $2,355,000 | $2,695,000 | $2,122,600 | $3,081,400 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | 12 | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No | No | No |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | 12 | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | No | Refreshment Centre | Refreshment Centre |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | MID | MID |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 12600 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8244 | 8644 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | IO-550-C | PT6A-114A | PT6A-140 | PT6A-42A | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | — | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1700 | 3600 | 4000 | 3600 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — | — | — |
| Horsepower | 300 | 675 | 867 | 500 | 600 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — | — | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 194 | — | 335 | 170 | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 24 | ISA + 55 | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 29.9 | 37.6 | 41.6 | 29.6 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 37.9 | 52.1 | 52.1 | 43.2 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.8 | 16.8 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.8 | 15 | 15.1 | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 150 | — | — | 165 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 46 | 32 | 32 | 20 | 20 |