Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Tecnam P2012
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX and the Tecnam P2012 Traveller are both utility aircraft aimed at short-haul regional and special-mission flying, but they sit in different categories. The Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop known for rugged operations, strong payload flexibility, and the ability to use shorter or less‑improved strips. The Tecnam P2012 is a twin‑engine piston aircraft optimized for commuter airline-style service, offering twin‑engine redundancy and a cabin layout tailored to frequent passenger turnarounds. In typical configurations, the Grand Caravan EX seats up to about 14 occupants including the pilot (commonly 9–13 passengers depending on interior and regulations), while the P2012 is generally configured for up to 11 seats including the pilot (typically 9–10 passengers). For range, the Grand Caravan EX generally offers the longer legs in many real-world mission profiles (often on the order of roughly 900–1,000+ nautical miles depending on load and reserves), while the P2012 is usually lower, commonly around the mid‑700 to 900 nautical mile class depending on configuration and conditions.
| Spec | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Tecnam P2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.15 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Tecnam |
| Aircraft Name | Grand Caravan EX | P2012 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 964 | 950 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.39 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 8 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3332 | 2937 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 614 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 Nxi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 195 | 190 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $2,695,000 | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 8 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-140 | TEO-540-C1A |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 867 | 375 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 24 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 335 | 198 |
| Fuel Type | — | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 41.6 | 38.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 52.1 | 46 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.4 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.8 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.1 | 14.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 32 | — |