AIR.ONE

Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility airplane optimized for short/rough-field work; it typically carries about 9 passengers and offers roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles of range depending on payload and reserves. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, tri‑jet business aircraft in a very different class, usually seating 12–16 passengers in executive layouts and capable of about 6,450 nautical miles, making it suited to intercontinental missions. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium, twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and corporate shuttle roles; it commonly carries around 16–19 passengers with typical mission ranges on the order of 450–500 nautical miles (highly mission‑dependent). The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter, generally configured for about 6–8 passengers with a typical range around 300–350 nautical miles. Overall, the Falcon 8X leads by a wide margin on range and speed, the Caravan EX leads on simple, rugged utility with airplane efficiency, the AW189 leads in helicopter cabin capacity and offshore capability, and the MD 902 targets lighter, shorter-range 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