Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M600 Sls
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is best viewed as a utility-focused single‑engine turboprop: it typically offers the greatest cabin volume and highest passenger capacity of the three (often up to around 9–14 seats depending on configuration), but it generally trades that for shorter range and lower cruise performance compared with the Pilatus and Piper. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX sits in the premium single‑engine turboprop category, combining strong range and speed with a flexible cabin that commonly seats about 6–9 passengers in executive layouts, while still supporting practical cargo and special-mission roles. The Piper M600 SLS is positioned closer to a personal/light business turboprop: it usually carries fewer passengers (often about 4–6 plus a pilot) than the PC‑12, but offers a modern, high‑end cockpit and competitive point‑to‑point capability. In broad terms, for range the PC‑12 NGX tends to lead, the M600 SLS is usually next, and the Grand Caravan EX typically trails, while for passenger capacity the Grand Caravan EX leads, the PC‑12 NGX follows, and the M600 SLS is generally lowest.
| Spec | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.15 | $ 2.78 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Grand Caravan EX | PC-12 NGX | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 964 | 1803 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3332 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 614 | $ 793 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 195 | 290 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,695,000 | $5,350,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | Optional | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Yes | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 9 | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 13100 | 12600 |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-140 | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 867 | 1200 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 24 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 335 | — | 260 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 41.6 | 47.25 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 53.33 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | 5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.8 | 16.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.1 | 14 | 11.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | 40 | 20 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.25 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 165 |