Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, typically used for short-haul regional, cargo, or rugged-field work. It carries about 9 passengers and has a moderate range on the order of roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on load and reserves. The Daher TBM 960 is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop in the personal/corporate category. It prioritizes speed and efficiency over cabin volume, usually seating 4–6 passengers in comfort (up to around 6–7 with options), with a longer typical range of roughly 1,400–1,700 nautical miles. The Leonardo AW189 is a twin‑engine medium helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and transport missions. It generally carries around 16–19 passengers in high-density layouts, with practical range commonly around 450–500 nautical miles (mission-dependent). The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet designed for flexibility, including operation from shorter or semi-prepared runways. It typically seats 6–8 passengers (up to about 10 in some configurations) and offers jet-range capability around roughly 1,800–2,000 nautical miles.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 651 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 155 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 | 10 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Galley Location | MID | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | — | 9.3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 19 | 10 |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1983 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — | ISA + 23 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 | 2 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | — | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | — | 23 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 395 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 90 |