Beechcraft King Air C90 vs Cessna 208 Caravan

Textron Aviation Β· Textron Aviation

Quick answer

Beechcraft King Air C90 vs Cessna 208 Caravan: Beechcraft King Air C90 wins on more measurable specs (4 of 5 categories). Beechcraft King Air C90 has 1,260 NM range and 272 kt cruise. Cessna 208 Caravan has 1,070 NM range and 186 kt cruise.

Head-to-head specs

Beechcraft King Air C90
Cessna 208 Caravan
Manufacturer
Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation
Type
turboprop
turboprop
Engines
2
1
Max Pax
7 pax
13 pax
Range
1,260 nm
1,070 nm
Cruise Speed
272 kt
186 kt
Service Ceiling
30,000 ft
25,000 ft
MTOW
4,581 kg
3,629 kg
Type Rating
Required
Required

Beechcraft King Air C90

Entry-level King Air variant popular for owner-operators. Good stepping stone from piston twins to turboprop operations.

Full Beechcraft King Air C90 guide β†’

Cessna 208 Caravan

Rugged single-engine utility turboprop for cargo, passengers, and skydiving. FedEx feeder workhorse and bush operations staple.

Full Cessna 208 Caravan guide β†’

Frequently asked questions

Which is faster, Beechcraft King Air C90 or Cessna 208 Caravan?

Beechcraft King Air C90 cruises faster β€” Beechcraft King Air C90 at 272 kt vs Cessna 208 Caravan at 186 kt.

Which has longer range?

Beechcraft King Air C90 flies farther β€” Beechcraft King Air C90 1,260 NM vs Cessna 208 Caravan 1,070 NM.

Do both require a type rating?

Beechcraft King Air C90: Type rating required. Cessna 208 Caravan: Type rating required.

Which is harder to fly?

Difficulty depends on transition experience. At least one of these requires a type rating, which involves a 4-6 week course in a Level D simulator.

Type rating prep with Rotate

Aircraft systems, performance & operating procedures for FAA, EASA, ICAO.

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