Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop fixed‑wing utility aircraft typically used for regional transport; it generally carries about 9 to 14 passengers and offers short‑to‑medium range capability, roughly on the order of 900 to 1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and configuration. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a long‑range tri‑jet business aircraft in a higher performance category; it usually seats around 12 to 16 passengers in executive layouts and is designed for intercontinental missions, commonly cited around 6,000+ nautical miles. The Leonardo AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter aimed at offshore, SAR, and corporate/VIP roles; it often carries about 12 to 16 passengers with a typical range in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class (roughly 450 to 500+ nautical miles). The Robinson R66 is a light single‑engine turbine helicopter for smaller groups, usually about 4 passengers plus pilot, with shorter range, commonly around 300 to 350 nautical miles.
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 17 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 8X | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 17 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 19 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW307D | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 4000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 | — |
| No. of Engines | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 80.2 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 86.3 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.7 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 42.7 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 26.1 | 16.6 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 | 395 |
| 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 |