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Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx

The Cessna Skyhawk is a light, piston single used primarily for training and personal travel. It typically carries 3–4 people and offers a modest cross-country range on the order of roughly 600–800 nautical miles depending on model and reserves, making it best for short to medium trips at lower speeds. The Cessna Caravan is a utility turboprop single designed for rugged, short-field work and high payload flexibility. It commonly seats about 9–14 passengers in commuter layouts, with range often around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on load and configuration. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is an uprated Caravan variant with more power and improved hot-and-high performance, generally in the same category and seating band as the Caravan (about 9–14), with similar typical range, often near the upper end when lightly loaded. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a higher-performance, pressurized single-engine turboprop positioned as an executive and versatile utility aircraft. It usually carries 6–9 passengers in comfort (more in commuter form) and typically reaches about 1,500–1,800 nautical miles, favoring longer trips and faster cruise.

SpecCessna SkyhawkCessna CaravanCessna Grand Caravan EXPilatus PC-12 NGX
Summary
DOC / nm$ 0.95$ 3.07$ 3.15$ 2.78
Total Seats410108
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerCessnaCessnaCessnaPilatus
Aircraft Name172 SkyhawkCaravanGrand Caravan EXPC-12 NGX
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)64010709641803
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.24$ 0.38$ 0.39$ 0.46
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Direct Operating Cost$ 118$ 571$ 614$ 793
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G1000 NXiGarmin G1000 NXiGarmin G1000 NXiHoneywell Primus Apex
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)124186195290
Base Aircraft Price (USD) $415,000 $2,355,000$2,695,000$5,350,000
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Max Cabin Seats9129
Useful Load (lbs)33053332
Standard Cabin Seats886
Cabin
Total Seats410108
Cockpit222
LavatoryNoNoOptional
Min Crew111
Cargo DoorYesYesYes
Max Cabin Seats9129
Cabin Pressure (psi)Un-PressurizedUn-Pressurized5.8
Galley / RefreshmentNoNoNo
Standard Cabin Seats886
Lavatory LocationFWD
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)13100
Engine
FADECNoYesYesYes
ModelIO-360-L2APT6A-114APT6A-140PT6E-67XP
Fuel TypeAvGas
TBO (hrs)2000360040005000
TBO (yrs)12
Horsepower2006758671200
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injected
No. of Engines1111
Fuel Capacity (gal)42335
Flat RatingISA + 31ISA + 24ISA + 35
Usable Fuel (gal)402
Dimensions
Length (ft)27.237.641.647.25
Wingspan (ft)36.152.152.153.33
Cabin Width (ft)3.45.45.45
Cabin Height (ft)44.54.54.9
Cabin Length (ft)11.912.816.816.9
Overall Height (ft)91515.114
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)30323240
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.25