Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Skycourier vs Viking Dhc 6 Twin Otter
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, typically used for short‑to‑medium regional flying with a practical range around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. It commonly seats about 9–14 passengers in commuter layouts, with 9 seats often used in stricter regulatory environments. The Cessna SkyCourier is a newer, twin‑engine turboprop designed as a modern utility/freighter and regional commuter platform. In passenger form it is generally configured for up to about 19 seats, and its typical range is roughly in the 900–1,200 nautical mile class, varying strongly with payload and mission profile. The Viking DHC‑6 Twin Otter is a twin‑engine turboprop STOL aircraft optimized for rugged, short/rough-field operations. It usually carries about 15–19 passengers and generally offers a shorter typical range, often around 700–900 nautical miles, again depending on weight and fuel. Overall, Caravan EX emphasizes simplicity and economy, SkyCourier emphasizes higher-capacity modern twin operations, and Twin Otter emphasizes extreme-field capability with solid utility capacity.
| Spec | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Cessna SkyCourier | Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.15 | — | $ 5.96 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Cessna | Viking |
| Aircraft Name | Grand Caravan EX | SkyCourier | DHC-6 Twin Otter |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 964 | 900 | 775 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.39 | — | $ 0.31 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3332 | — | 4425 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 614 | — | $ 1,084 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 195 | 200 | 182 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,695,000 | $7,375,000 | $7,150,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 | 19 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-140 | PT6A-65SC | PT6A-34 |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 6000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 867 | 1100 | 620 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 24 | — | ISA + 27 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 335 | — | 378 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 41.6 | 54.9 | 51.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 72 | 65 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | — | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | — | 5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.8 | — | 18.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.1 | 19.8 | 19.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | — | 88 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 384 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 4.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 35 |