Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna 182 Skylane vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan
The Cessna Skyhawk (172) is a light single‑engine piston trainer and personal aircraft, typically carrying 3–4 people including the pilot, with a usual still‑air range roughly around 600–800 nautical miles depending on model, power setting, and reserves. The Cessna Skylane (182) is a higher‑performance single‑engine piston aircraft suited to longer cross‑country travel and heavier loads, generally 4 people (often up to 5 with smaller occupants and reduced fuel), with typical range about 700–900 nautical miles. The Cessna Turbo Stationair (206) is a turbocharged utility piston aircraft optimized for hauling people and cargo from shorter or unimproved strips; it commonly seats 6, with practical range often around 600–900 nautical miles depending on payload and altitude use. The Cessna Caravan (208) is a single‑engine turboprop workhorse for regional utility and charter, usually configured for 9–14 passengers (with freight options), and commonly offers about 900–1,200 nautical miles of range depending on variant, payload, and operating conditions.
| Spec | Cessna Skyhawk | Cessna Skylane | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| DOC / nm | $ 0.95 | $ 1.01 | $ 1.08 | $ 3.07 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | 172 Skyhawk | 182 Skylane | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 640 | 915 | 703 | 1070 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.24 | $ 0.25 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 118 | $ 146 | $ 174 | $ 571 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 124 | 145 | 161 | 186 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $415,000 | $530,000 | $745,000 | $2,355,000 |
| Cockpit | — | — | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | 4 | 8 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 9 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | — | — | 3305 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Cockpit | — | — | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | 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-360-L2A | IO-540-AB1A5 | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 200 | 245 | 350 | 675 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 42 | 87 | 87 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 31 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 27.2 | 29 | 28.3 | 37.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 36 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.9 | 11.2 | 12.1 | 12.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 15 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 30 | 32 | 11 | 32 |