Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Diamond Aircraft Da62 vs Embraer Phenom 100ev vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M500 vs Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii
The Cessna Skyhawk is a simple single‑engine piston trainer/tourer: typically 2–4 people, with short to moderate range suited to regional hops. The Diamond DA42 VI is a twin‑engine piston aircraft that carries about 4 passengers (plus pilot) with a moderate range and strong efficiency, while the larger Diamond DA62 seats more (commonly 5–7) and generally offers longer, more practical touring range than the DA42. Moving into turboprops, the Piper M500 is a pressurized single‑engine turboprop usually configured for 5–6 passengers with solid mid‑to‑long range. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a larger, high‑utility single‑engine turboprop that commonly carries 6–9 passengers and offers long range with flexible cabin and baggage capability. In light jets, the Cessna Citation M2 and Embraer Phenom 100EV are entry‑level business jets; both typically seat about 4–6 passengers with fast, moderate‑to‑long range, with the 100EV often competitive at the upper end of this class. The Robinson R22 Beta II is a two‑seat piston helicopter with comparatively short range, focused on training and local missions.
| Spec | Cessna Skyhawk | Cessna Citation M2 | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Diamond Aircraft DA62 | Embraer Phenom 100EV | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M500 | ROBINSON R22 Beta II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| DOC / nm | $ 0.95 | $ 3.45 | $ 1.11 | $ 1.18 | $ 2.84 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.11 | $ 1.80 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | — | IFR | IFR | — | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna Citation | Diamond Aircraft | Diamond Aircraft | Embraer | Pilatus | Piper | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | 172 Skyhawk | M2 | DA42 VI | DA62 | Phenom 100EV | PC-12 NGX | M500 | R22 Beta II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 640 | 1400 | 1273 | 1283 | 1,178 | 1803 | 1000 | 250 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.24 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.28 | $ 0.24 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.90 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 118 | $ 1,395 | $ 211 | $ 225 | $ 1,152 | $ 793 | $ 579 | $ 173 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 124 | 404 | 190 | 190 | 406 | 290 | 260 | 96 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $415,000 | $5,150,000 | $869,000 | $1,290,000 | $4,250,000 | $5,350,000 | $2,122,600 | $ 312,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 | — | 5 | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3810 | 1298 | 1565 | 3451 | — | 1698 | 490 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 6 | — | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Total Seats | 4 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | — | 1 Flushing | Optional | No | — |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — | — | No | — | — | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — | — | No | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 | — | 5 | 6 | 9 | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — | — | AFT | FWD | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 8.5 | — | — | 8.3 | 5.8 | 5.5 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | — | — | No | No | Refreshment Centre | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 6 | — | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 22027 | — | — | 21280 | 13100 | 12600 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | — | — | — | MID | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8244 | — |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | IO-360-L2A | FJ44-1AP-21 | AE300 | AE330 | PW617F1-E | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A | O-360 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | Diesel / Jet Fuel | Diesel / Jet Fuel | — | — | — | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 3500 | 1800 | 1800 | 3500 | 5000 | 3600 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 |
| Horsepower | 200 | — | 168 | 180 | — | 1200 | 500 | 131 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — | — | — | Carbureted |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 42 | 492 | 79.4 | 89 | — | — | 170 | 115 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 7 | — | — | ISA + 8 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 | — | — | 1730 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 | — | — | 543 | — | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 76.4 | 86 | — | 402 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 27.2 | 42.6 | 28.1 | 30.1 | 42.1 | 47.25 | 29.6 | 28.5 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36.1 | 47.3 | 44.5 | 47.8 | 40.4 | 53.33 | 43.2 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.4 | 4.8 | — | — | 5.1 | 5 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | 4.8 | — | — | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.9 | 11 | — | — | 11 | 16.9 | 12.3 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9 | 14 | 8.2 | 9.3 | 14.3 | 14 | 11.3 | 8.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 30 | — | — | — | 10 | 40 | 20 | 1.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | — | — | 0.3 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.1 | — | — | 3.6 | 4.25 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 8.8 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 | — | — | 60 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 165 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25.2 |