Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Piper M350 vs Piper Seneca
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft aimed at rugged, high‑payload operations. It typically carries more people than the others, commonly seating around 9 to 14 passengers depending on configuration, and offers moderate range suited to regional hops rather than long cross‑country nonstop missions. The Piper M350 is a pressurized single‑engine piston aircraft positioned as a personal/business traveler. It prioritizes comfort and efficient high‑altitude cruising for a small group, usually seating about 5 to 6 people, and it generally provides the longest range of the three for nonstop travel. The Piper Seneca is a twin‑engine piston light aircraft used for training, charter, and business flying. It usually seats about 5 to 7 people, offers range comparable to or somewhat less than the M350 depending on load and conditions, and its twin‑engine category emphasizes redundancy and multi‑engine capability rather than the Caravan’s utility payload focus or the M350’s pressurized single‑engine efficiency.
| Spec | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Piper M350 | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.15 | $ 1.34 | $ 1.69 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | Grand Caravan EX | M350 | Seneca |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 964 | 1343 | 828 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.39 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.28 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3332 | 1308 | 1331 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 614 | $ 285 | $ 337 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 195 | 213 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,695,000 | $1,195,000 | $1,095,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | 5.6 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| Model | PT6A-140 | TIO-540-AE2A | TSIO-360-RB |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 2000 | 1800 |
| Horsepower | 867 | 350 | 220 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 24 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 335 | 120 | 122 |
| Fuel Type | — | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 41.6 | 29 | 28.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 43 | 39 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.8 | 12.3 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.1 | 11.4 | 10 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | 20 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 13 | — |