Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M350
The Cessna Caravan is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short/rough fields and cargo flexibility. It typically carries about 9 passengers and offers moderate range (roughly 900–1,200 nm depending on load and reserves), trading speed for rugged capability and low operating complexity. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a higher‑performance single‑engine turboprop positioned as an executive/utility crossover. It usually seats 6–9 passengers in comfort and has long range for the class (about 1,500–1,800 nm), with better speed and cabin refinement than the Caravan. The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is a light twin‑engine business jet focused on fast point‑to‑point travel. It commonly accommodates 6–9 passengers and provides similar or slightly longer range than the PC‑12 in many missions (around 1,800–2,000+ nm), with markedly higher cruise speeds but greater operating cost and runway needs than turboprops. The Piper M350 is a pressurized single‑engine piston aircraft aimed at owner‑pilots. It typically seats 4–6 passengers and has midrange capability (about 1,000–1,300 nm), slower than turboprops and jets but generally less expensive to acquire and operate.
| Spec | Cessna Caravan | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.07 | $ 4.05 | $ 2.78 | $ 1.34 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | — | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna Citation | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Caravan | CJ3+ | PC-12 NGX | M350 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1070 | 1898 | 1803 | 1343 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.38 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.22 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 8 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3305 | 5530 | — | 1308 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 571 | $ 1,680 | $ 793 | $ 285 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 186 | 415 | 290 | 213 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,355,000 | $9,915,000 | $5,350,000 | $1,195,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 8 | 9 | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | 8.9 | 5.8 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Galley | No | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 23586 | 13100 | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-114A | FJ44-3A | PT6E-67XP | TIO-540-AE2A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 675 | — | 1200 | 350 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 31 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 35 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 2820 | — | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 624 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 703 | — | 120 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | — | — | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 37.6 | 51.2 | 47.25 | 29 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 53 | 53.33 | 43 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | 4.8 | 5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.8 | 15.7 | 16.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15 | 15.2 | 14 | 11.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | — | 40 | 20 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | — | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.1 | 4.25 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 12.2 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 65 | — | 13 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 165 |