Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, typically used for short regional hops and rugged operations; it offers roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles of range depending on payload and fits about 9–14 passengers in commuter-style seating (or fewer in executive layouts). The Enstrom 480B is a single‑engine piston helicopter in the light category, optimized for short-range missions; it generally carries 4–5 occupants and has a range on the order of about 300 nautical miles. Stepping up to business jets, the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize jet aimed at efficient point‑to‑point travel; it commonly seats 7–9 passengers and typically reaches around 1,800–2,100 nautical miles. At the top end, the Dassault Falcon 8X is an ultra‑long‑range large-cabin trijet designed for intercontinental flying; it often carries 12–16 passengers (with higher-density options) and offers roughly 6,000+ nautical miles of range.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 7.66 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 17 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 6450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.64 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 3,805 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No |
| Jump Seat | No | Yes |
| Total Seats | 10 | 17 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 16 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 10.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 14 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 29200 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | PW307D |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | 6722 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 3 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 80.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | 42.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 26.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 140 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 1695 |