Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Cessna Skyhawk is a simple, piston, fixed-gear single-engine trainer and personal aircraft. It typically carries 3–4 people, with a practical range around 600–800 nautical miles depending on fuel and power settings, and it’s best suited to short, economical trips. The Cessna Turbo Stationair is a more capable, turbocharged piston single designed for heavier loads and rougher-field utility. It generally seats up to 6, and range is commonly in the roughly 700–900 nautical mile class, trading speed for useful load and high-altitude flexibility. The Cessna Caravan is a single-engine turboprop utility aircraft aimed at cargo, charter, and rugged regional work. It commonly carries about 9–14 passengers (configuration dependent), with typical ranges around 900–1,200 nautical miles, and excels at short, unimproved strips. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a higher-end, pressurized single-engine turboprop for executive and premium utility missions. It usually seats 6–9 passengers in executive layouts (more in commuter/cargo configs) and offers roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical miles of range, emphasizing speed, comfort, and IFR capability.
| Spec | Cessna Skyhawk | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| DOC / nm | $ 0.95 | $ 1.08 | $ 3.07 | $ 2.78 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 172 Skyhawk | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 640 | 703 | 1070 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.24 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.46 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 118 | $ 174 | $ 571 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 124 | 161 | 186 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $415,000 | $745,000 | $2,355,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Min Crew | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | 9 | 9 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | — | 3305 | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | 9 | 9 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | No | No |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | — | FWD |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 13100 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Model | IO-360-L2A | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 | 3600 | 5000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | — | — |
| Horsepower | 200 | 350 | 675 | 1200 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 42 | 87 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 27.2 | 28.3 | 37.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36.1 | 36 | 52.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.4 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.9 | 12.1 | 12.8 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9 | 9.4 | 15 | 14 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 30 | 11 | 32 | 40 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 4.25 |