AIR.ONE

Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b vs Leonardo Aw189

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, typically used for short‑to‑medium regional legs; it offers roughly 900–1,200 nm range depending on payload and is commonly configured for about 9–14 passengers. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin tri‑jet business aircraft designed for intercontinental missions, with about 6,000–6,450 nm range and typical seating around 12–16 passengers (higher in dense layouts). The Enstrom 480B is a single‑engine piston helicopter aimed at training, patrol, and personal/corporate lift; it has a comparatively short range of roughly 200–300 nm and usually carries 4–5 people including the pilot. The Leonardo AW189 is a twin‑engine medium helicopter optimized for offshore and SAR/utility roles, offering about 450–500+ nm range (mission dependent) and commonly seating around 16–19 passengers in transport configurations. Overall, the Falcon 8X dominates range, the Caravan leads simple utility capacity per cost, and the AW189 provides higher‑capacity vertical lift while the 480B serves light helicopter missions.

SpecDassault Falcon 8XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit22
DOC / nm$ 7.66$ 15.57
Min Crew21
Total Seats1721
ManufacturerDassault FalconLeonardo
Aircraft Name8XAW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)6450651
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.64$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats1619
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)36900
Standard Cabin Seats1419
Direct Operating Cost$ 3,805$ 2,413
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Honeywell Primus EASy IIEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)516155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 62,500,000$2,413,000
Flight RulesIFR
Cabin
Cockpit32
Lavatory2 Enclosed Flushing
Min Crew21
Crew RestNo
Jump SeatYes
Total Seats1721
Galley LocationFWD
Max Cabin Seats1619
Lavatory LocationFWD / AFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)10.2
Galley / RefreshmentGalley
Standard Cabin Seats1419
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)29200
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)3900
Engine
FADECYesYes
ModelPW307DCT7-2E1
TBO (hrs)On-Condition4000
Flat RatingISA + 17
Thrust (lbs)6722
No. of Engines32
Fuel TypeJetFuel
Horsepower1983
Dimensions
Length (ft)80.257.8
Wingspan (ft)86.3
Cabin Width (ft)7.7
Cabin Height (ft)6.2
Cabin Length (ft)42.7
Overall Height (ft)26.116.6
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)1695395
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)6.3
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)29.2
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)140
Rotor Diameter (ft)48
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)85