Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Robinson R66 vs Sikorsky S 92
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine, fixed‑wing turboprop utility aircraft best suited to short‑to‑medium regional hops. It typically carries around 9 to 14 passengers depending on configuration and has an approximate range in the 900–1,200 nautical mile class, with real‑world range varying strongly with payload and reserves. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium, twin‑engine helicopter optimized for offshore, SAR, and corporate/utility missions. It commonly seats about 16 to 19 passengers and offers a typical range around 450–500 nautical miles, again payload‑dependent. The Robinson R66 is a light, single‑engine helicopter aimed at cost‑effective transport, training, and light utility work. It generally carries 4 passengers plus a pilot (about 5 seats total) and has a typical range around 300–350 nautical miles. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a heavy, twin‑engine helicopter used extensively for offshore transport and SAR. It usually seats roughly 19 passengers (with higher‑density layouts possible) and typically ranges about 500–600 nautical miles, depending on configuration and mission profile.
| Spec | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 15.57 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | AW189 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 651 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,413 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,413,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 7417 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2E1 | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1983 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 760 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 57.8 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.6 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 395 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 85 | 140 |