Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Cessna Turbo Stationair sits in the light, single‑engine piston utility category, typically offering the shortest legs and the smallest cabin of the three. It’s commonly configured for about four to six passengers plus the pilot, and it’s best suited to regional trips where simplicity and lower operating costs matter more than speed, payload, or long-range capability. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft designed around rugged, high‑payload short‑field work. It generally carries around nine to fourteen passengers depending on configuration, and it delivers a moderate range that works well for commuter, cargo, and remote-access missions, especially where unimproved strips are common. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a higher‑performance, pressurized single‑engine turboprop in the executive/utility class. It usually seats about six to nine passengers in executive layouts (more in dense commuter configurations) and offers the longest range and highest cruise capability here, making it the strongest option for longer, faster point‑to‑point travel with a more refined cabin.
| Spec | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.08 | $ 3.15 | $ 2.78 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 206 Turbo Stationair | Grand Caravan EX | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 703 | 964 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.18 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 174 | $ 614 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 161 | 195 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $745,000 | $2,695,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 | 1 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 12 | 9 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3332 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| 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 |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 13100 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-140 | PT6E-67XP |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — |
| Horsepower | 350 | 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) | 28.3 | 41.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36 | 52.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.6 | 5.4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.1 | 16.8 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.4 | 15.1 | 14 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 11 | 32 | 40 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 4.25 |