Cessna Caravan vs Cirrus Sf50 G2 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Diamond Aircraft Da50rg vs Diamond Aircraft Da62 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan is a rugged utility single‑engine turboprop aimed at short, unimproved strips and cargo/passenger hauling. It typically offers the most cabin volume and seat count in this group, commonly configured around 9 passengers, with a medium range roughly in the 800–1,000 nm class depending on payload and reserves. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop optimized for speed and owner‑pilot efficiency. It carries fewer people, typically 4–6 passengers, but delivers longer legs than the Caravan, often around 1,400–1,700 nm with cruise profiles. The Diamond DA62 is a modern twin‑piston aircraft focused on efficiency and redundancy, usually seating 5–7. Its range is competitive for its class, commonly around 1,000–1,200 nm, but it is not a turboprop and generally trades speed and altitude capability for lower operating costs. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop executive aircraft emphasizing jet‑like cruise speeds. It typically seats 6–8 and offers longer range than the DA62 and often comparable to or better than the TBM, commonly around 1,500–1,800 nm, with a more business‑oriented cabin.
| Spec | Cessna Caravan | Daher TBM 960 | Diamond Aircraft DA62 | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.07 | $ 2.25 | $ 1.18 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Daher TBM | Diamond Aircraft | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | Caravan | TBM 960 | DA62 | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1070 | 1730 | 1283 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.38 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.24 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | 5 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3305 | 2908 | 1565 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 571 | $ 744 | $ 225 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 186 | 330 | 190 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,355,000 | $4,450,000 | $1,290,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No | — | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | 5 | 7 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | 6.2 | — | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — | — | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 14390 | — | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-114A | TBM 960 | AE330 | PT6A–66B |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 1800 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 675 | 850 | 180 | 850 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 31 | ISA + 49 | — | ISA + 28 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | Diesel / Jet Fuel | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 86 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 89 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 37.6 | 35.3 | 30.1 | 47.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 42.1 | 47.8 | 47.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | 4 | — | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | — | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.8 | 13.4 | — | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15 | — | 9.3 | 13.1 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | — | — | 35.2 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | — | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 3.5 |