Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, optimized for short and rough fields, with typical seating around 9 passengers and a range roughly in the 900–1,200 nautical mile class depending on load and reserves. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop, usually carrying 4–6 passengers in comfort (up to 6–7 in some layouts), with longer legs for its class at about 1,400–1,700 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a super‑midsize business jet, generally seating 8–9 passengers, and offering higher cruise speeds with a range around 1,900–2,100 nautical miles. The Leonardo AW189 is a twin‑engine medium helicopter, typically configured for about 12–16 passengers (higher-density layouts possible), trading speed and fixed‑wing range for vertical lift and offshore/EMS capability, with range commonly around 450–500 nautical miles, extendable with auxiliary tanks.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Daher TBM | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | TBM 960 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 1730 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 744 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 330 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | IFR |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 6.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 14390 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 49 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | — | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 | 1983 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | JetFuel |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 35.3 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | 42.1 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | 13.4 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | — | 16.6 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — | 85 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | 395 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | — | 48 |