Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Enstrom 480b vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft aimed at short‑haul, high‑flexibility operations. It typically carries about 9 passengers (plus pilot[s]) and offers a practical range on the order of roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, large‑cabin tri‑jet business jet designed for intercontinental travel, commonly configured for about 12–16 passengers, with a range around 6,450 nautical miles. The Enstrom 480B is a light turbine helicopter for short‑range transport and mission work; it generally seats 4–5 occupants total and has a range of roughly 300–400 nautical miles. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a high‑speed twin‑turboprop business aircraft, typically seating about 6–9 passengers, with a range around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles. Overall, the Falcon 8X dominates range and cabin size, the Avanti EVO bridges speed and midrange efficiency, the Grand Caravan emphasizes rugged utility and payload flexibility, and the Enstrom 480B trades range for vertical‑lift access.
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 17 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 8X | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 17 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW307D | PT6A–66B |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 | — |
| No. of Engines | 3 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 80.2 | 47.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 86.3 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 42.7 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 26.1 | 13.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.3 | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 29.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 140 | 35.2 |