Cessna 208 Caravan vs Dassault Falcon 20

FORCETALLY

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Cessna 208 Caravan — licensed reference photograph

ASupport aircraft

Cessna 208 Caravan

Regional airliner , utility aircraft

Credit

Lt. Col. Scott Voskovitch · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

Dassault Falcon 20 — licensed reference photograph

BSupport aircraft

Dassault Falcon 20

Business jet

Credit

Aeroprints.com · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Cessna 208 Caravan208 Caravan · Length

11.46 m

Length source ↗

Dassault Falcon 20Falcon 20F · Length

17.15 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

24 of 35 rows sourced on both sides

11.46m208 Caravan · Length

17.15mFalcon 20F · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

11.46 m

208 Caravan · Length

Single source

37 ft 7 in (11.46 m)^[source]

17.15 m

Falcon 20F · Length

Single source

Configuration

Details

Cessna 208 Caravan and Dassault Falcon 20 configuration
Specification	Cessna 208 Caravan	Dassault Falcon 20
Type	Regional airliner , utility aircraft^[source]	Business jet^[source]
National origin	United States^[source]	France^[source]
Manufacturer	Cessna^[source]	Dassault Aviation^[source]
Status	In service^[source]

Primary users	FedEx Feeder Brazilian Air Force Afghan Air Force Colombian Aerospace Force^[source]	Federal Express (formerly) French Navy United States Coast Guard^[source]

Number built	3,000 (2022)^[source]	512^[source]

Manufactured	1982–present^[source]	1965–1991^[source]

Introduction date	1984^[source]	3 June 1965^[source]

First flight	December 9, 1982^[source]	4 May 1963^[source]

Variant	Soloy Pathfinder 21^[source]	—

Capacity	9 passengers (13 with FAR Part 23 waiver)^[source]	8–14 passengers^[source]

Aspect ratio	9.702^[source]	6.4:1^[source]

Airfoil	wing root: NACA 23017.424, wing tip: NACA 23012^[source]	—

Fuel capacity	2,224 lb (1,009 kg) / 332 US gal (1,257 L)^[source]	5,200 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,400 US gal)^[source]

Cabin height	54 in (1.37 m)^[source]	—

Cabin width	64 in (1.63 m)^[source]	—

Propellers	3-bladed McCauley constant speed, full feathering, reversible pitch^[source]	—

Stall speed	61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) calibrated air speed^[source]	152 km/h (94 mph, 82 kn)^[source]

Wing loading	28.674 lb/sq ft (140.00 kg/m 2 )^[source]	—

Role	utility aircraft^[source]	French business jet^[source]

Source measurement	The Cessna 208 Caravan is a utility aircraft produced by Cessna . The project was commenced on November 20, 1981, and the prototype first flew on December 9, 1982. The production model was certified by the FAA in October 1984 and its Cargomaster freighter variant was developed for FedEx . The 4 ft (1.2 m) longer 208B Super Cargomaster first flew in 1986 and was developed into the passenger 208B Grand Caravan.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The strutted , high wing 208 typically seats nine passengers in its unpressurized cabin, is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A tractor turboprop and has a fixed tricycle landing gear , floats , or skis.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Another cargo variant for Federal Express, with a longer fuselage and a cargo pod under the belly, was developed as the 208B Super Cargomaster and flew for the first time in 1986. Stretched by 4 ft (1.2 m), it received its FAA type certification also in 1986. A passenger model, the 208B Grand Caravan, was derived from the Super Cargomaster. It was first delivered in 1990.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Cessna 208 is a high-wing braced cabin monoplane powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 A turboprop in tractor configuration . The cabin has room for nine passengers and two crew when used as a passenger aircraft with four doors: one for each crew member, an airstair door on the right side of the cabin and a cargo door on the left. The aircraft can be optionally fitted with an underslung cargo pod.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The airplane typically seats nine passengers with a single pilot, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver it can seat up to fourteen passengers. The aircraft is also used for cargo operations.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The short-fuselage Caravan burns 48 US gal (180 L) of fuel per hour at 170 kn (310 km/h; 200 mph) for 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi) stages.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage First production variant with a PT6A-114 turboprop engine and seating for up to nine passengers. The landplane variant was type approved on October 23, 1984, and the seaplane version with Wipline Model 8000 Amphibious/Seaplane Floats was type approved on March 26, 1986. Early aircraft can be modified to use the higher-powered PT6A-114A but have restricted operating limits.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Officially named the 208B Caravan but marketed as the Grand Caravan . The 208B is 4 ft (1.2 m) longer than the 208; extending the cabin by the same amount. The 208B has a PT6A-114A engine. It was originally certified as a two-seater cargo version on October 9, 1986, and as an 11-seater passenger aircraft on December 13, 1989.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 208B Grand Caravan EX Marketing name for upgraded version of the 208B Caravan certified in December 2012, with a more powerful 867 hp (647 kW) Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-140 that improves the rate of climb by 38% and was developed by Pratt & Whitney Canada specifically to power the 208B. The unladen weight is 807 lb (366 kg) more but maximum payload is only 90 lb (41 kg) more. While the 192 hp (143 kW) more powerful PT6A-140 gives a 11-knot (20 km/h) higher cruise speed – and rate of climb is improved by 94 feet per minute (0.48 m/s), range is reduced to 964 nautical miles (1,785 km; 1,109 mi) on a similar fuel capacity. It requires a longer take off run at 2,160 feet (660 m) and its landing roll is at 1,871 feet (570 m). In early October 2019, after just under six years in production, the company had delivered 500 Grand Caravan EXs.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Single example of a twin-engined stretched fuselage development of the 208 by the Soloy Corporation. Two PT6D-114A engines mounted side-by-side drove a single propeller; and the fuselage was extended by 70 inches (1.8 m) behind the wing. The project was abandoned as the design was unable to meet certification requirements.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 208 with an 850 hp (634 kW) Honeywell TPE331-12JR-701S engine, installed by Aero Twin Inc.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 208B with a 1,000 hp (746 kW) Honeywell TPE331-12JR-704AT engine, installed by Aero Twin Inc.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 208 and 208B conversion to 850 hp (634 kW) PT6A-42A.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 208B with a 850 hp (634 kW) (900 hp (671 kW) flat-rated) Honeywell TPE331-12JR engine, installed by Texas Turbine Conversions, Inc.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 208B with an 850 hp (634 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine, installed by Blackhawk^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The eCaravan is an electric aircraft modification of the 208B built by AeroTEC and magniX powered by a 750 hp (560 kW) motor and a 1 t (2,200 lb), 750 V lithium-ion battery . The plane's 30-minute first flight happened from Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, on May 28, 2020, consuming US$6 worth of electricity, needing 30–40 min of charging.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Experimental; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Magni500-powered variant can fly 100 nautical miles (185 km; 115 mi) with 4–5 passengers while keeping reserve power, and aims for a certification by the end of 2021, hoping to operate 100 nmi (185 km; 115 mi) flights with a full load of nine passengers with better batteries.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Experimental; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: 9 passengers (13 with FAR Part 23 waiver)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 37 ft 7 in (11.46 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 52 ft 1 in (15.87 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 14 ft 11 in (4.53 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 279 sq ft (25.96 m 2 )^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 4,730 lb (2,145 kg)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Fuel capacity: 2,224 lb (1,009 kg) / 332 US gal (1,257 L)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cabin height: 54 in (1.37 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cabin width: 64 in (1.63 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A -114A turboprop, 675 shp (503 kW)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 186 kn (214 mph, 344 km/h) true air speed^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Stall speed: 61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) calibrated air speed^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 1,070 nmi (1,230 mi, 1,980 km)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 1,234 ft/min (6.27 m/s)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	During the 1950s and 1960s, the French government, which had taken a significant interest in the re-establishment and growth of its national aviation industries in the aftermath of the Second World War , developed a detailed request for a combined liaison / trainer aircraft, to be equipped with twin-turbofan engines. Among those companies that took interest in the government request was French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation . In December 1961, French aircraft designer and head of Dassault Aviation, Marcel Dassault , gave the go-ahead to proceed with work towards the production of an eight- to 10-seat executive jet /military liaison aircraft, which was initially named as the Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 . The emerging design was of a low-wing monoplane, which drew upon the aerodynamics of the transonic Dassault Mystère IV fighter-bomber , and was equipped with a pair of rear-mounted 14.68 kN (3,300 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8 turbojet engines.^[source]Dassault Falcon 20 · Development / Origins; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Progress between Dassault and Pan Am was rapid, moving from engineering evaluations of the type to the formation of general agreements between the two companies. In response to feedback received from Pan American, the aircraft was re-engined with a pair of General Electric CF700 engines and several dimensions were increased. Accordingly, Pan American formed an agreement with Dassault to distribute the Mystère 20 in the western hemisphere; the firm placed an initial order for 40 aircraft along with options for a further 120. On 10 July 1964, the re-engined aircraft made its first flight. On 1 January 1965, the first production aircraft performed its maiden flight; in June 1965, both French and American type certifications were awarded. On 10 June 1965, French aviator Jacqueline Auriol achieved the women's world speed record using the first Mystère 20 prototype, having flown at an average recorded speed of 859 km/h over a distance of 1000 km.^[source]Dassault Falcon 20 · Development / Origins; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 1973, FedEx's Falcons, designation FA-20-DC, cost $1.2 million each and were modified with a 55-by-74.5-inch forward cargo door with independent power supply, higher mtow, reinforced floor, plugged windows, and bigger brakes.^[source]

Source measurement

The Cessna 208 Caravan is a utility aircraft produced by Cessna . The project was commenced on November 20, 1981, and the prototype first flew on December 9, 1982. The production model was certified by the FAA in October 1984 and its Cargomaster freighter variant was developed for FedEx . The 4 ft (1.2 m) longer 208B Super Cargomaster first flew in 1986 and was developed into the passenger 208B Grand Caravan.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The strutted , high wing 208 typically seats nine passengers in its unpressurized cabin, is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A tractor turboprop and has a fixed tricycle landing gear , floats , or skis.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Another cargo variant for Federal Express, with a longer fuselage and a cargo pod under the belly, was developed as the 208B Super Cargomaster and flew for the first time in 1986. Stretched by 4 ft (1.2 m), it received its FAA type certification also in 1986. A passenger model, the 208B Grand Caravan, was derived from the Super Cargomaster. It was first delivered in 1990.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Cessna 208 is a high-wing braced cabin monoplane powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 A turboprop in tractor configuration . The cabin has room for nine passengers and two crew when used as a passenger aircraft with four doors: one for each crew member, an airstair door on the right side of the cabin and a cargo door on the left. The aircraft can be optionally fitted with an underslung cargo pod.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The airplane typically seats nine passengers with a single pilot, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver it can seat up to fourteen passengers. The aircraft is also used for cargo operations.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The short-fuselage Caravan burns 48 US gal (180 L) of fuel per hour at 170 kn (310 km/h; 200 mph) for 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi) stages.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

First production variant with a PT6A-114 turboprop engine and seating for up to nine passengers. The landplane variant was type approved on October 23, 1984, and the seaplane version with Wipline Model 8000 Amphibious/Seaplane Floats was type approved on March 26, 1986. Early aircraft can be modified to use the higher-powered PT6A-114A but have restricted operating limits.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Officially named the 208B Caravan but marketed as the Grand Caravan . The 208B is 4 ft (1.2 m) longer than the 208; extending the cabin by the same amount. The 208B has a PT6A-114A engine. It was originally certified as a two-seater cargo version on October 9, 1986, and as an 11-seater passenger aircraft on December 13, 1989.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

208B Grand Caravan EX Marketing name for upgraded version of the 208B Caravan certified in December 2012, with a more powerful 867 hp (647 kW) Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-140 that improves the rate of climb by 38% and was developed by Pratt & Whitney Canada specifically to power the 208B. The unladen weight is 807 lb (366 kg) more but maximum payload is only 90 lb (41 kg) more. While the 192 hp (143 kW) more powerful PT6A-140 gives a 11-knot (20 km/h) higher cruise speed – and rate of climb is improved by 94 feet per minute (0.48 m/s), range is reduced to 964 nautical miles (1,785 km; 1,109 mi) on a similar fuel capacity. It requires a longer take off run at 2,160 feet (660 m) and its landing roll is at 1,871 feet (570 m). In early October 2019, after just under six years in production, the company had delivered 500 Grand Caravan EXs.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Single example of a twin-engined stretched fuselage development of the 208 by the Soloy Corporation. Two PT6D-114A engines mounted side-by-side drove a single propeller; and the fuselage was extended by 70 inches (1.8 m) behind the wing. The project was abandoned as the design was unable to meet certification requirements.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

208 with an 850 hp (634 kW) Honeywell TPE331-12JR-701S engine, installed by Aero Twin Inc.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

208B with a 1,000 hp (746 kW) Honeywell TPE331-12JR-704AT engine, installed by Aero Twin Inc.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

208 and 208B conversion to 850 hp (634 kW) PT6A-42A.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

208B with a 850 hp (634 kW) (900 hp (671 kW) flat-rated) Honeywell TPE331-12JR engine, installed by Texas Turbine Conversions, Inc.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

208B with an 850 hp (634 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine, installed by Blackhawk^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Aftermarket variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The eCaravan is an electric aircraft modification of the 208B built by AeroTEC and magniX powered by a 750 hp (560 kW) motor and a 1 t (2,200 lb), 750 V lithium-ion battery . The plane's 30-minute first flight happened from Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, on May 28, 2020, consuming US$6 worth of electricity, needing 30–40 min of charging.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Experimental; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Magni500-powered variant can fly 100 nautical miles (185 km; 115 mi) with 4–5 passengers while keeping reserve power, and aims for a certification by the end of 2021, hoping to operate 100 nmi (185 km; 115 mi) flights with a full load of nine passengers with better batteries.^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Variants / Experimental; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: 9 passengers (13 with FAR Part 23 waiver)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 37 ft 7 in (11.46 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 52 ft 1 in (15.87 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 14 ft 11 in (4.53 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 279 sq ft (25.96 m 2 )^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 4,730 lb (2,145 kg)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Fuel capacity: 2,224 lb (1,009 kg) / 332 US gal (1,257 L)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cabin height: 54 in (1.37 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cabin width: 64 in (1.63 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A -114A turboprop, 675 shp (503 kW)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 186 kn (214 mph, 344 km/h) true air speed^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Stall speed: 61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) calibrated air speed^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 1,070 nmi (1,230 mi, 1,980 km)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 1,234 ft/min (6.27 m/s)^[source]Cessna 208 Caravan · Specifications (208 Caravan); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

During the 1950s and 1960s, the French government, which had taken a significant interest in the re-establishment and growth of its national aviation industries in the aftermath of the Second World War , developed a detailed request for a combined liaison / trainer aircraft, to be equipped with twin-turbofan engines. Among those companies that took interest in the government request was French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation . In December 1961, French aircraft designer and head of Dassault Aviation, Marcel Dassault , gave the go-ahead to proceed with work towards the production of an eight- to 10-seat executive jet /military liaison aircraft, which was initially named as the Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 . The emerging design was of a low-wing monoplane, which drew upon the aerodynamics of the transonic Dassault Mystère IV fighter-bomber , and was equipped with a pair of rear-mounted 14.68 kN (3,300 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8 turbojet engines.^[source]Dassault Falcon 20 · Development / Origins; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Progress between Dassault and Pan Am was rapid, moving from engineering evaluations of the type to the formation of general agreements between the two companies. In response to feedback received from Pan American, the aircraft was re-engined with a pair of General Electric CF700 engines and several dimensions were increased. Accordingly, Pan American formed an agreement with Dassault to distribute the Mystère 20 in the western hemisphere; the firm placed an initial order for 40 aircraft along with options for a further 120. On 10 July 1964, the re-engined aircraft made its first flight. On 1 January 1965, the first production aircraft performed its maiden flight; in June 1965, both French and American type certifications were awarded. On 10 June 1965, French aviator Jacqueline Auriol achieved the women's world speed record using the first Mystère 20 prototype, having flown at an average recorded speed of 859 km/h over a distance of 1000 km.^[source]Dassault Falcon 20 · Development / Origins; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In 1973, FedEx's Falcons, designation FA-20-DC, cost $1.2 million each and were modified with a 55-by-74.5-inch forward cargo door with independent power supply, higher mtow, reinforced floor, plugged windows, and bigger brakes.^[source]