Cessna 208 Caravan

Cessna · United States · first flew 1982 · light aircraft

The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single-engine turboprop utility aircraft designed to carry passengers or freight from short and unprepared strips.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × turboprop, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.46 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Single turboprop utility
Strut-braced high wing
Optional cargo pod

A large, slab-sided high-wing single with a long PT6 nose and prominent strut-braced wing. The optional underslung cargo pod and tall fixed undercarriage give it a distinctive, purposeful stance.

Specifications

The Cessna 208 Caravan has a length of 11.46 m (38 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.88 m (52 ft).
Its maximum speed is 344 km/h (214 mph).
Typical crew: 1 (up to 9 pax).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in December 1982 and certified in 1984, the Caravan was built around the rugged Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop. It quickly became a workhorse for feeder airlines, freight carriers and humanitarian operators worldwide.

Variants

The stretched 208B Grand Caravan and the higher-powered Grand Caravan EX expanded payload and performance. Versions are flown on floats, skis and with a large belly cargo pod, and the type also serves in military and special-mission roles.

Where you'll see it

In the UK the Caravan is a familiar sight at parachuting centres and on light-freight tasks, operating comfortably from grass and short runways. Its single-engine simplicity and turbine reliability suit it to club and commercial utility work.

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