Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is best viewed as a rugged, single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, unimproved strips and high-frequency regional or remote operations. Its typical range is around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves, and it generally seats about 9 passengers in commuter or charter layouts (higher in some utility configurations). The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a medium twin‑engine helicopter, chosen when vertical access matters more than speed or runway availability, such as offshore, SAR, or point-to-point access to sites without landing strips. Its practical range is roughly 400–500 nautical miles, and it commonly carries about 16–19 passengers depending on configuration and mission equipment. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a pressurized twin‑turboprop business aircraft focused on speed and efficiency at altitude, offering a more “business jet–like” cruise than the Caravan. Its range is typically about 1,400–1,800 nautical miles, and it usually seats 7–9 passengers in executive layouts.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 3775 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 7 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | PT6A–66B |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 850 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 28 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | 47.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 14.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35.2 |