CESSNA 208 GRAND CARAVAN

• Passengers 12

Four feet longer than the original 208 Caravan, the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan (also known as the 208B Grand Caravan) is a popular turboprop that can fly up to 14 passengers and their luggage to remote locations.

About this aircraft

• The Cessna 208 Grand Caravan is the fourth edition of the Caravan series and entered service in 1990.
• The cabin can seat 8-12 passengers depending on configuration.
• It can fly non-stop for 3-4.5 hours. A full aircraft with luggage can fly for three hours without needing to refuel.
• The Grand Caravan can store around 12 soft suitcases with a cargo pod installed underneath the fuselage.
• The aircraft is known for its capability to land on rough fields and airstrips, its economical operation and its versatility for high speeds and heavy loads.
• The upgraded Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX received certification in 2013.
• Over 1,500 Caravans have been delivered since the first 208 entered service in 1984.

The Cessna 208 Grand Caravan is one of the largest single-engine aircraft Cessna has ever produced. It’s ideal for groups wanting to fly to remote destinations, from the dry plains of Kenya’s Masi-Mara to the icy tarmacs of Alaska.

Interior design

The 208 Grand Caravan can seat eight passengers with two forward-facing seats at the front and rear separated by four seats in a club formation, or 12 people in four rows of seats in a 2-1 formation. The heated and ventilated cabin can also be fitted with air-conditioning.

Below is a standard configuration found inside a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan.

Interesting facts to learn before you fly

• The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan is a slightly larger version of the original 208.
• It can land in rugged conditions, making it ideal for accessing remote airports.
• Newer, refurbished models may feature screens and more modern furnishings.

Technological features

The 208 Grand Caravan is powered by a single 675-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop engine. The engine drives a three-bladed constant speed reversible pitch and feathering propeller.

Some models feature older Honeywell or Garmin avionics, while newer or retrofitted models are fitted with a glass cockpit with Garmin G1000 integrated avionics system.

History

The original Caravan I, also known as Model 208, launched in 1985 as a simple load-hauler that was built for rugged operations and designed for simplicity, low maintenance costs and field maintainability. Delivery company Federal Express was its biggest initial customer, leading Cessna to develop the Cargomaster cargo variant especially for them, followed by the 208B Super Cargomaster with a longer fuselage and a cargo pod under the belly.

Following the success of the original 208, Cessna developed a passenger version of the 208B Super Cargomaster named the 208B Grand Caravan. Introduced in 1990, the aircraft has a longer fuselage than the original, allowing for up to 14 passengers, along with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A engine. 

Since then, the Caravan and Grand Caravan have undergone a number of design evolutions, including upgraded avionics in 2008. In January 2013 a higher-powered version of the 208B, the Grand Caravan EX, received FAA certification.

Manufacturer

Cessna was founded in 1927 by Clyde Cessna and Victor Roos. It was originally called the Cessna-Roos Aircraft Company, but Roos’ name was dropped after he resigned just one month into the partnership and sold back his interest to Cessna.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the company specialised in producing small piston-powered planes and business jets. After becoming one of the world’s biggest general aviation producers, it was bought by General Dynamics in 1985 and by Textron in 1992. In March 2014, Cessna stopped operating as a subsidiary company and joined Beechcraft and Hawker as one of the three distinct brands produced by Textron Aviation.

Cost

Depending on many factors, the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan costs between $0.67 million (USD) for a 1990 version and $1.37 million for a 2008 model. The upgraded Grand Caravan EX can cost $1.85 million for a pre-owned aircraft. 

Charter rates

Charter rates for the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan can vary greatly depending on the length of the journey you have planned, as well as the airports you decide to fly in and out of.

If you would like to book a private charter flight on a Cessna 208 Caravan, why not contact our team? For information on other private jets available for charter, browse our list of available private aircraft.

Wet lease rates

ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) wet lease rates for the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan can vary depending on the age of the aircraft, length of the lease term, the number of block hours being guaranteed and the average cycle ratio.