Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Piper M600 Sls
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, typically used for regional hops and rugged operations. It generally offers the highest passenger capacity of this group at about 9–14 seats depending on interior and regulations, but its range is moderate, roughly in the 900–1,200 nm class. The MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer is a twin‑engine helicopter focused on vertical lift missions rather than point‑to‑point efficiency. Passenger capacity is usually around 6–8, and range is shorter than the fixed‑wing options, commonly a few hundred nautical miles, making it best for short-range access and air-taxi or special-mission work. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑engine turboprop business aircraft optimized for speed and efficiency. It typically carries 6–9 passengers and offers long range for the segment, often around 1,500–1,800 nm. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop personal/business aircraft. It usually seats about 5–6 passengers and provides solid range, roughly 1,200–1,500 nm, prioritizing owner-operator capability over maximum cabin capacity.
| Spec | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Piaggio | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Avanti EVO | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1530 | 1406 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3775 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 400 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 7,695,000 | $3,081,400 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.19 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.55 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 603 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 24000 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 6600 | 8644 |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A–66B | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 28 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 100 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 47.3 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 47.1 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 14.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 35.2 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |