Compare Cessna Grand Caravan EX vs MD Helicopters MD 500E vs Pilatus PC-12 NGX
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| Manufacturer | Cessna | MD Helicotpers | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Type | Grand Caravan EX | MD 500E | PC-12 NGX |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,695,000 | $ 2,750,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 614 | $ 398 | $ 793 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.15 | $ 2.95 | $ 2.78 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.39 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 195 | 135 | 290 |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 258 | 1866 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3532 | 1483 | 3692 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 3 | 9 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Weights | |||
| MRAMP (lbs) | 8842 | - | 10495 |
| MTOW (lbs) | 8807 | 3000 | 10450 |
| MTOW External Load (lbs) | - | 3550 | - |
| Max External Load (lbs) | - | 2069 | - |
| MLW (lbs) | 8500 | - | 9921 |
| MZFW (lbs) | - | - | 9039 |
| BOW (lbs) | 5510 | - | 6803 |
| BEW (lbs) | 5310 | 1517 | 6758 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3532 | 1483 | 3692 |
| Max Payload (lbs) | 3190 | - | 2235 |
| Fuel Capacity (lbs) | 2246 | 403 | 2704 |
| Useful Load Max Fuel (lbs) | 1286 | 1099 | - |
| Payload Max Fuel (lbs) | 1086 | - | 988 |
| Max Baggage Weight (lbs) | 1410 | - | - |
| Dimensions | |||
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | - | 53.33 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | - | 26.4 | - |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.1 | 8.7 | 14 |
| Length (ft) | 41.6 | 30.9 | 47.25 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | - | 4.9 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | - | 5 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | - | - | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.8 | - | 16.9 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | - | 40 |
| Engine | |||
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | MD Helicotpers | Pilatus |
| Model | PT6A-140 | 250-C20B | PT6E-67XP |
| Horsepower | 867 | 420 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 24 | - | ISA + 35 |
| FADEC | Yes | No | Yes |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 5000 |
| Fuel Type | - | JetFuel | - |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 335 | 64 | - |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | - | - | 402 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | - | 35 | - |
| Avionics | |||
| Flight Deck | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| EFIS | 1 Garmin GEA 71 | - | - |
| FMS | - | - | 1 |
| Autopilot | - | - | 1 |
| PFD | 2 x Garmin GDU 1050A | - | 2 |
| MFD | 1 x Garmin GDU 1050A | - | 1 |
| GPS | - | - | 1 |
| AHRS | 2 x GRS 79 | - | 1 |
| ADC | 2 x Garmin GDC 72 | - | - |
| Transponder | 1 x Garmin GTX 335R ADS-B Out | 1 | 1 |
| VHF Com | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| VHF NAV | 2 | - | 2 |
| DME | 1 x Bendix/King KN-63 | - | - |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 3 | 9 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Yes | - | Yes |
| Lavatory | No | - | Optional |
| Lavatory Location | - | - | FWD |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | - | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | - | - | 13100 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | - | 5.8 |
| Other | |||
| Prop Manufacturer | McCauley | - | Hartzell |
| Prop Description | 4-Blade Alum Constant Feathering | - | 5-Blade Comp |
| Gear Type | Fixed Wheels | High Skids | Retractable |
| Rotorhead | - | 5-Blade Articulated | - |
| Tail Rotor | - | 2-Blade | - |
| Warranty | |||
| Pilot Training Credits | - | 1 | - |
| Airframe (Yrs) | - | 1 | - |
| Avionics (Yrs) | - | 2 | - |
| Performance | |||
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 195 | 135 | 290 |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | 165 | 135 | 225 |
| Stall Speed - Clean (kias) | 61 | - | - |
| Stall Speed - Flaps (kias) | - | - | 67 |
| Max Range (nm) | 920 | 258 | 1866 |
| Range Seats Full (nm) | - | 258 | - |
| Max Range Crew + 4 (nm) | 815 | - | 1803 |
| Max Range Crew + 6 (nm) | 621 | - | 1568 |
| Max Range Crew + 8 (nm) | 420 | - | 1057 |
| Endurance (hrs) | - | 2.8 | - |
| Take-off Roll (ft) | 1399 | - | - |
| Take-Off >50ft Obst. (ft) | 1836 | - | 2602 |
| Take-Off (5000 / ISA + 10) | 3661 | - | 4270 |
| Landing Roll (ft) | 1004 | - | - |
| Landing >50ft Obst. (ft) | 1836 | - | 2170 |
| Max Climb Rate (fpm) | 1275 | 1770 | 1920 |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | 25000 | 16000 | 30000 |
| Hover IGE (ft) | - | 11300 | - |
| Hover OGE (ft) | - | 9500 | - |