Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a utility turboprop designed for short-to-medium regional missions, trading speed and altitude for rugged simplicity. It typically carries about 9 passengers and offers roughly 900–1,000 nautical miles of range depending on payload and conditions. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a high-performance twin turboprop positioned between commuter aircraft and light jets, commonly seating 7–9 passengers with around 1,400–1,700 nautical miles of range, emphasizing efficiency and speed for its class. The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet built for versatility, including operation from shorter or less-prepared runways than many jets. It generally seats 6–10 passengers and delivers about 2,000 nautical miles of range. The Dassault Falcon 8X is a large-cabin, long-range trijet aimed at intercontinental travel, typically accommodating 12–16 passengers in executive layouts and reaching about 6,000+ nautical miles, prioritizing cabin comfort, range, and high-end mission flexibility.
| Spec | Dassault Falcon 8X | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.66 | — | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 17 | 8 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Dassault Falcon | Piaggio | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | 8X | Avanti EVO | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 6450 | 1530 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.64 | — | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 36900 | 3775 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,805 | — | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 400 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 62,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — | No |
| Total Seats | 17 | 8 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 7 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 10.2 | 9 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 14 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 29200 | 24000 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 3900 | 6600 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW307D | PT6A–66B | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 3600 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 6722 | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 80.2 | 47.3 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 86.3 | 47.1 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.7 | 6.1 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.2 | 5.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 42.7 | 14.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 26.1 | 13.1 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 1695 | — | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.3 | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 29.2 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 140 | 35.2 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |