Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
Cessna (Textron Aviation) · United States · first flew 2013 · light aircraft
The Grand Caravan EX is the high-power variant of Cessna's iconic 208B, fitted with the PT6A-140 engine producing 867 shp versus the standard 675 shp of earlier marks, and offering improved hot-and-high performance for operations in challenging environments.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | High-wing single turboprop with slab-sided fuselage seating up to 14 passengers |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing single turboprop with slab-sided fuselage seating up to 14 passengers
- Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 giving noticeably more power than earlier Grand Caravans
- Fixed tricycle undercarriage with large tundra-capable tyres on many examples
Against the standard Grand Caravan, the EX is best identified by its broader four-blade composite propeller and, where fitted, winglet tips. Compared with the Pilatus PC-12, the Caravan sits higher on its fixed undercarriage and has a squarer, less streamlined fuselage. The PC-12 has retractable gear and a swept fin versus the Caravan's fixed straight surfaces.
Specifications
- The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX has a length of 12.67 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.88 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 344 km/h (214 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 13 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Cessna launched the 208B Grand Caravan in 1986 as a stretched, high-capacity version of the Caravan I. The EX variant appeared in 2013, replacing the PT6A-114A with the more powerful PT6A-140 and gaining winglets and improved avionics as options. FedEx operates the world's largest Grand Caravan fleet as a feeder freighter, but the EX finds its niche in passenger operations at high-altitude or hot airfields.
Variants
The baseline 208B Grand Caravan uses the PT6A-114A. The EX adds the PT6A-140. The 208 Caravan I is the shorter single-row-seat version; the Amphibian fits Wipline floats. Numerous aftermarket STOL and enlarged-wheel modifications exist.
Where you'll see it
Grand Caravan EX operators include regional airlines in Africa, Alaska, the Pacific Islands, and Latin America where it is valued for its rugged simplicity. Missionary aviation organisations (MAF, JAARS) operate large fleets. Skydiving operators favour the type for its large cabin and high door.
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