Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Enstrom 480b vs Sikorsky S 92
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine, fixed‑wing turboprop utility aircraft, typically used for short‑to‑medium regional missions. It generally offers the longest range of the three and commonly seats around 9 to 14 passengers depending on interior and regulatory configuration, making it efficient for point‑to‑point transport on runways rather than vertical lift operations. The Enstrom 480B is a light, single‑engine helicopter in the rotorcraft category, oriented toward short‑range missions such as training, patrol, and local utility flying. Its passenger capacity is much smaller than the Caravan or S‑92, typically accommodating a pilot plus several passengers (commonly up to about 4 total occupants), and its range is suited to local operations rather than long sectors. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a medium/heavy twin‑engine helicopter designed for demanding roles such as offshore transport and search and rescue. It carries far more passengers than the Enstrom and is often configured around 19 passengers, with a range generally in the medium band—typically less than the Caravan’s maximum but substantially beyond light helicopters—while adding twin‑engine redundancy and true vertical lift capability.
| Spec | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $30,650,000 |
| Cabin | |
| Cockpit | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 |
| Engine | |
| FADEC | Yes |
| Model | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 760 |
| Dimensions | |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.8 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 140 |