Cessna Caravan vs Diamond Aircraft Da62 vs Tbm900
The Cessna Caravan and Diamond DA62 sit in different utility categories despite both being popular in commercial and private operations. The Caravan is a single‑engine turboprop designed primarily for rugged, high‑payload utility work such as regional commuter service, cargo hauling, and short or unimproved strip operations. The DA62 is a twin‑engine piston aircraft aimed more at efficient, higher‑speed personal and light commercial transport, with an emphasis on comfort, modern avionics, and redundancy from two engines. In range terms, the Caravan typically offers long legs depending on variant and load, often on the order of roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles, with strong performance when carrying bulky freight or operating into challenging fields. The DA62 generally provides a comparable or sometimes greater cruise range in efficient configurations, commonly around 1,000–1,200 nautical miles, but is more sensitive to loading and mission profile. For passenger capacity, the Caravan usually seats up to about 9 passengers (often plus a pilot) in commuter layouts, while the DA62 is typically configured for 5–7 seats, making it better suited to smaller groups rather than maximum headcount.
| Spec | Cessna Caravan | Diamond Aircraft DA62 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.07 | $ 1.18 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Diamond Aircraft |
| Aircraft Name | Caravan | DA62 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1070 | 1283 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.38 | $ 0.24 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 5 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3305 | 1565 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 571 | $ 225 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 186 | 190 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,355,000 | $1,290,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 5 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 3 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-114A | AE330 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 1800 |
| Horsepower | 675 | 180 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 31 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | Diesel / Jet Fuel |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 86 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 89 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 37.6 | 30.1 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 47.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.8 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15 | 9.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | — |