Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, best suited to short-haul regional missions and rough or remote operations. Its range is generally in the lower end of this group (roughly under 1,000–1,200 nm depending on load), and it typically carries about 9 passengers in commuter configuration. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop in the personal/business category. It trades cabin size for speed and efficiency, offering a longer range than the Caravan (about 1,400–1,700 nm typical) with seating commonly around 4–6 passengers (up to about 6–8 depending on layout). The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet with a larger cabin and true jet performance. It generally ranges around 1,800–2,000 nm and commonly seats about 6–10 passengers. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range large‑cabin trijet, designed for intercontinental travel. It has by far the greatest range (around 6,000+ nm) and typically accommodates about 12–16 passengers, depending on configuration.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Dassault Falcon 8X | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 7.66 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Dassault Falcon | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | 8X | PC-24 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 6450 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.62 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 36900 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 3,805 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 516 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 62,500,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 | 10 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 17 | 6 |
| Galley Location | MID | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 10.2 | 9.3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 14 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 29200 | 23500 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | No |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 16 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 3900 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | PW307D | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 6722 | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | — | 3 | 2 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 80.2 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 86.3 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 7.7 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 6.2 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 42.7 | 23 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 1695 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 26.1 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 6.3 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 29.2 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 140 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |