Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii vs Piper M500
The Cessna Turbo Stationair (Turbo 206) is a rugged, piston-powered utility aircraft aimed at flexible personal and light commercial missions. It typically offers the shortest range of the three and is best viewed as a dependable, lower-speed hauler for shorter legs. Passenger capacity is commonly up to six including the pilot, with good cabin and cargo versatility for its class. The Daher Kodiak 100 Series III is a turboprop built around backcountry and utility performance, with higher power, higher cruise speeds, and generally longer practical range than the Turbo Stationair. It is oriented toward carrying people or payload into shorter or rougher strips, and it commonly seats up to ten including the pilot, making it the clear leader in passenger capacity here. The Piper M500 is a pressurized, single-engine turboprop positioned for business and personal travel efficiency rather than utility hauling. It typically delivers the longest range and highest cruise speed of the three, with a more refined, high-altitude cabin environment. Passenger capacity is usually up to six including the pilot, prioritizing comfort and speed over maximum seats.
| Spec | Cessna Turbo Stationair | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.08 | $ 3.11 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | 206 Turbo Stationair | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 703 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.18 | $ 0.78 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 174 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 161 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $745,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 1698 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 5.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8244 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | No | No |
| Model | TIO-540-AJ1A | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 3600 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 350 | 500 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 87 | 170 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 28.3 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.6 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.1 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.4 | 11.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 11 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |