Summary

  • Cessna 208 Caravan, popular since 1982, boasts over 3,000 deliveries globally due to ongoing improvements.
  • The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan is the 1st major redesign, certified for up to 4 passengers.
  • Electric-powered 208 Caravan, despite battery weight issues, has already been converted by magniX.

The Cessna 208 is a light utility aircraft produced by US manufacturer Cessna (now part of Textron Aviation). It has been in service since 1982, with over 3,000 aircraft delivered. This popularity is due in part to its improvements and the development of different variants. Upgraded variants remain well in use and production today, and there are even possibilities soon of fully electric operations.

The Cessna 208 Caravan

In the early 1980s, Cessna wanted to build an unpressurized, single-engine turboprop that could be used for various purposes. It also had to be big enough to accommodate two pilots and nine passengers or carry a decent cargo payload. The Cessna 208 Caravan went on to take its first flight in December 1982, and since then, more than 3,000 have been delivered to customers worldwide, clocking up a total of over 24 million flight hours.

A Cessna 208 Caravan flying in the sky.

Photo: Philip Schubert | Shutterstock

The finalized design was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine mounted at the front. It also featured a high wing and fixed tricycle landing gear that could be fitted with skis or floats. Over the years, it has remained in production through several further variants.

208 Caravan & 208 Cargomaster

The first Cessna 208 Caravan variant was powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114 turboprop engine and could seat up to nine passengers. The landplane variant of the aircraft was approved on October 23rd, 1984, and its amphibious equivalent on March 26th, 1986. The original aircraft could also be built with a higher-power PT6A-114A engine, although this brought some operational restrictions.

A FedEx Cessna 208 Flying in the sky.

At Federal Express’s (FedEx) request, a freighter version of the aircraft called the Cargomaster also entered production. Developed from the original Cessna 208 Caravan, the Cargomaster is a windowless version of the original aircraft designed purely to carry goods. In total, 40 were produced and delivered to FedEx.

208B Grand Caravan

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was the first major redesigned variant. Four feet (1.2 meters) longer than the original Cessna 208 Caravan, the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan has a PT6A-114A engine. It was initially certified as a cargo aircraft in October 1986 and an 11-seat passenger aircraft in December 1989. The cabin space would allow for more passengers, but this is not certified by the FAA. Today, Azul Conecta is one of the largest passenger operators of the 208B Grand Caravan.

Azul Cessna 208

Photo:  Matheus Obst | Shutterstock

You might also like: Flight Review: Azul Conecta’s Cessna Grand Caravan

A freighter variant of the 208B series, known as the 208B Super Cargomaster, was also built by Cessna. FedEx purchased 260 of this variant.

Performance

Caravan 208B (Cargo)

Caravan 208B (Passenger)

Grand Caravan 208B (2008)

Max Operating Speed

175 KIAS

175 KCAS

175 KCAS

Max. Structural Cruising Speed

N/A

N/A

N/A

Stall Speed Clean

78 KCAS

78 KCAS

Unknown

Stall Speed Landing Configuration

61 KCAS

61 KCAS

61 KTAS

Climb Best Rate

770 FPM

975 FPM

975 FPM

Wing Loading

31.3 lbs./sq. ft.

31.3 lbs./sq. ft.

31.3 lbs./sq. ft.

Power Loading

14.6 lbs./hp

13.0 lbs./hp

13.0 lbs./hp

Service Ceiling

21,900 ft.

23,700 ft.

25,000 ft. (Certified Ceiling)

Related

Extended Fuselage: A Guide To The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

One of the most famous aircraft types that’s been in production since the 1980’s.

The Caravan Amphibian

Cessna also manufactured the 208 Caravan Amphibian, which was fitted with floats and a retractable landing gear to allow for both water and land operations. This was first approved in 1988, and the modification is possible for both the Cessna 208 and the larger Cessna 208B.

A Cessna 208 seaplane in a large lake.

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX

The 208B Grand Caravan EX is the latest upgraded variant. The 208B was improved with a more powerful engine and the newly designated 208B Grand Caravan EX received its airworthiness certificate in December 2012.

Grand Caravan EX

Photo: Textron Aviation

The 208B Grand Caravan EX is a modified variant fitted with a more powerful 867hp PT6A-140 engine. Developed especially for the Cessna 208 by Pratt & Whitney, the new engine increased the aircraft’s climb rate by 38%. It also offers a slightly higher payload but with a reduced operating range.

Military Cessna 208s

The US Department of Defense designated the Cessna 208 Caravan as the U-27A, while the Brazilian Air Force designated it as the C-98. Another variant, the MC-208 Guardian, is primarily used as an aerial surveillance aircraft and for medical evacuations.

A combat variant of the Cessna 208 Caravan fitted with precision-guided air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, known as the AC-208 Combat Caravan, was produced. The aircraft debuted in January 2014 with the Iraqi Air Force, while other combat versions have been sold to the Lebanese Air Force. Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger hope to acquire AC-208s through the Foreign Military Sales program.

An Iraqi Air Force Cessna 208 flying over a desert.

The electric-powered 208 Caravan

While electric-powered aircraft could be the future of flight, the bulk and weight of the batteries are the problem. Looking to find a solution is Washington-based magniX, which has converted a Cessna 208 Caravan to fly with an electric engine. However, its range currently lets it down – the eCaravan that magniX has developed can fly 100 miles, while the aviation fuel-powered Caravan can fly 1,500 miles.

Despite the challenges, Azul Conecta has expressed an interest in converting some of its existing 208B Grand Caravans to electric aircraft. Tanzania’s safari airline, Auric Air, also has electric plans with US-based electric aviation company Surf Air Mobility, as do Kenya-based operators Safarilink and Yellow Wings.

Related

Azul Conecta Wants To Upgrade 6 Cessna Caravans To Hybrid-Electric Planes

The Eco Caravan would allow Azul Conecta to meet its goal of reducing costs by 25% or more.

The Cessna 208 is also being used with ZeroAvia for hydrogen development. The company has an agreement with Textron Aviation to retrofit the turboprop with its ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain. The pair says the aircraft is particularly suited to be fitted with the powertrain due to its high-wing design. This makes it an ideal candidate for mounting hydrogen fuel tanks under the wings, which, in turn, allows operators to maintain seat capacity or cargo space.

Rendering of Cessna Caravan outfitted with ZA600 powertrain

Photo: ZeroAvia

Have you flown in a Cessna 208 Caravan? What do you think of the aircraft’s many variants? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.

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