Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft suited to short, rugged strips and regional hops. It typically carries about 9 passengers in commuter configuration and offers a useful range on the order of roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range, three‑engine business jet focused on intercontinental travel. It generally seats 12–16 passengers in executive layouts and can fly about 6,000+ nautical miles, enabling missions such as North America to Europe with reserves. The Leonardo AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, search and rescue, and VIP transport. Passenger capacity is commonly around 16–19 depending on configuration, with range typically in the ~400–500 nautical mile class, trading speed and distance for vertical access. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a high‑speed twin turboprop business aircraft positioned between utility turboprops and jets. It usually carries 6–9 passengers and offers roughly 1,400–1,800 nautical miles of range, delivering jet‑like cruise speeds with turboprop economics.
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 17 | 21 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | 8X | AW189 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 | 651 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 | — | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 155 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | IFR |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — | No |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — | — |
| Total Seats | 17 | 21 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 7 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 | — | 6600 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW307D | CT7-2E1 | PT6A–66B |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 4000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | — | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | — |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 | 850 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 80.2 | 57.8 | 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 | 16.6 | 13.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 | 395 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.3 | — | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 29.2 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 140 | — | 35.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |