Cessna 182 Skylane vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Cessna Skylane is a single‑engine piston aircraft typically used for personal travel and training; it carries about 3–4 passengers plus a pilot (depending on loading) and commonly offers roughly 800–1,000 nautical miles of range. The Cessna Turbo Stationair is also single‑engine piston but larger and more utility‑oriented; it usually seats about 5–6 passengers plus a pilot and has a similar to slightly longer practical range, often around 700–1,000 nautical miles, with better high‑altitude capability thanks to turbocharging. The Cessna Caravan is a single‑engine turboprop designed for rugged utility, cargo, and short/rough fields; passenger configurations are commonly 9–14 seats, and typical range is about 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and tanks. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a higher‑performance single‑engine turboprop positioned for executive and regional missions; it usually carries 6–9 passengers in comfort (up to about 10 in dense layouts) and offers longer range, commonly around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles, with higher cruise speed and more refined cabin and avionics.
| Spec | Cessna Skylane | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Caravan | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.01 | $ 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 | 182 Skylane | 206 Turbo Stationair | Caravan | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 915 | 703 | 1070 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.25 | $ 0.18 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.46 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 146 | $ 174 | $ 571 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 145 | 161 | 186 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $530,000 | $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-540-AB1A5 | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-114A | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 | 3600 | 5000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | — | — |
| Horsepower | 245 | 350 | 675 | 1200 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 87 | 87 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 29 | 28.3 | 37.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36 | 36 | 52.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.2 | 12.1 | 12.8 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.4 | 9.4 | 15 | 14 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | 11 | 32 | 40 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 4.25 |