Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Gulfstream G700 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, rugged routes and low operating cost. It typically carries about 9 passengers (up to roughly 14 in high‑density setups) and offers a moderate range around the 900–1,000 nm class, depending on payload and configuration. The Piper M600 SLS is a pressurized, single‑engine turboprop aimed at owner‑pilots and premium personal travel; it generally seats about 4–6 passengers plus a pilot and has a longer typical range than the Caravan, roughly around 1,400 nm. The Leonardo AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter focused on offshore, SAR, and corporate/VIP missions; it commonly carries about 12–16 passengers and has a shorter range than fixed‑wing aircraft, broadly in the 400–500 nm class. The Gulfstream G700 is an ultra‑long‑range business jet designed for intercontinental travel, usually accommodating around 12–19 passengers (with higher maximum layouts possible) and offering a range on the order of 7,000+ nm, far exceeding the others.
| Spec | Gulfstream G700 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 16 | 21 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream | Leonardo | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | G700 | AW189 | M600 |
| Certification | In Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 7500 | 651 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | EFIS | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 155 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $78,000,000 | $2,413,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 15.57 | $ 2.19 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | IFR |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.74 | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,413 | $ 603 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | — | 2200 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | Optional | — | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — | — |
| Total Seats | 16 | 21 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | — |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | — | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| Model | Pearl 700 | CT7-2E1 | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | On Condition | 4000 | 3600 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 18250 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes | No |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | — |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 109.9 | 57.8 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 103 | — | 43.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 8.2 | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.25 | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 56.9 | — | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 25.4 | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 195 | — | 20 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 | — |