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.
| Spec | Cessna Skyhawk | Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| DOC / nm | $ 0.95 | $ 3.07 | $ 3.15 | $ 2.78 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 172 Skyhawk | Caravan | Grand Caravan EX | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 640 | 1070 | 964 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.24 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 118 | $ 571 | $ 614 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 124 | 186 | 195 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $415,000 | $2,355,000 | $2,695,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3305 | 3332 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Total Seats | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | — | No | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | — | FWD |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 13100 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | IO-360-L2A | PT6A-114A | PT6A-140 | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 3600 | 4000 | 5000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — | — |
| Horsepower | 200 | 675 | 867 | 1200 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 42 | — | 335 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 24 | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 27.2 | 37.6 | 41.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36.1 | 52.1 | 52.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.4 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.9 | 12.8 | 16.8 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9 | 15 | 15.1 | 14 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 30 | 32 | 32 | 40 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 4.25 |