Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Sikorsky S 92
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, rugged strips and lower operating costs; it typically carries about 9 passengers and offers roughly 900–1,000 nm of range depending on payload and conditions. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet focused on speed and comfort; it commonly seats 8–9 passengers (up to about 12 in some layouts) and can fly roughly 2,000–2,100 nm. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium twin helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and corporate shuttle missions; it usually carries around 16–19 passengers with a practical range on the order of 450–500 nm. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a larger heavy twin helicopter, widely used for offshore transport and search and rescue; it typically seats about 19 passengers and offers a similar practical range of roughly 500 nm, with greater payload and cabin volume than the AW189. Overall, the XLS+ leads on range and cruise speed, the Caravan prioritizes simplicity and access to remote airstrips, and the AW189 and S‑92 trade speed and range for vertical-lift capability, with the S‑92 generally the larger-capacity, higher-payload helicopter.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | AW189 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 651 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | — | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 155 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | IFR |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | — | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | — | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | CT7-2E1 | CT7-8A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 | 2520 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 57.8 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | — | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 16.6 | 17.8 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | 85 | 140 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | 775 |