Cessna 182 Skylane vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Cessna Skylane is a single‑engine piston aircraft in the personal/light utility category, typically carrying about four people with a practical range on the order of roughly 800–1,000 nautical miles depending on load and reserves. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility/commuter workhorse, commonly configured for about 9–14 passengers, with typical real‑world ranges roughly 900–1,100 nautical miles, trading speed for payload and short/rough‑field versatility. The Daher Kodiak 100 Series III is also a single‑engine turboprop built around rugged STOL utility missions, usually seating around 8–10 passengers, with ranges often around 900–1,100 nautical miles depending on configuration. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX sits in the higher‑end single‑engine turboprop executive/utility class, generally seating 6–9 in executive layouts (up to about 10 in commuter configurations), and offers longer legs—commonly around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles—making it the standout for range while still retaining strong utility capability.
| Spec | Cessna Skylane | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.01 | $ 3.15 | $ 2.78 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 182 Skylane | Grand Caravan EX | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 915 | 964 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.25 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 146 | $ 614 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 145 | 195 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $530,000 | $2,695,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 12 | 9 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3332 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 8 | 6 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 10 | 8 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | — | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 12 | 9 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 13100 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes |
| Model | IO-540-AB1A5 | PT6A-140 | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — |
| Horsepower | 245 | 867 | 1200 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 87 | 335 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 24 | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 29 | 41.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36 | 52.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.5 | 5.4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.2 | 16.8 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.4 | 15.1 | 14 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | 32 | 40 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 4.25 |