Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Robinson R66
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft in the “workhorse” category, typically flying about 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on load and reserves, and commonly configured for around 9–14 passengers. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop aimed at fast owner‑pilot or corporate travel; it generally offers roughly 1,300–1,700 nautical miles of range with a smaller cabin, usually seating about 4–6 passengers in comfort (up to around 6–8 depending on layout). The Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine light jet designed for business missions and rough/short fields; typical range is about 1,800–2,000 nautical miles with seating commonly around 6–10 passengers. The Robinson R66 is a single‑engine turbine helicopter for short‑haul flexibility rather than long range, typically around 300–350 nautical miles, with seating for a pilot plus about 4 passengers. Overall, the PC‑24 leads in jet speed and range, the TBM 960 blends near‑jet trip times with turboprop efficiency, the Caravan prioritizes payload and cabin capacity, and the R66 trades range for vertical access.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | PC-24 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.62 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 10 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Galley Location | MID | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 23500 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | TBM 960 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | — | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 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 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 90 |