Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Piper M600 Sls
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a rugged single‑engine turboprop optimized for utility and short/rough-field work. It typically offers the greatest practical cabin flexibility and can carry the most people, commonly up to about 9 passengers (plus pilot), with a moderate range that varies heavily with payload. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop aimed at fast personal and business travel. It carries fewer passengers, generally around 4–6 plus pilot, but delivers long range for its class (often roughly 1,400–1,700 nm) and very high cruise speed. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑engine turboprop positioned as a small business aircraft. It usually seats about 6–8 passengers and combines jet‑like cabin comfort with strong speed, while offering a solid mid‑to‑long range profile (commonly around 1,300–1,700 nm). The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop in the personal/business category with advanced automation. It typically seats about 4–5 plus pilot and provides good range (often around 1,000–1,400 nm), but is less utility‑oriented than the Caravan and generally less fast/range‑focused than the TBM.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | — | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Piaggio | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | Avanti EVO | M600 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1530 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | — | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 3775 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | — | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 400 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Galley Location | MID | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 9 | 5.6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 24000 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 7 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | TBM 960 | PT6A–66B | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 850 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 28 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 47.3 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 47.1 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 5.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 14.9 | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | — | 165 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 13.1 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 | 20 |