Cessna 208 Caravan

The Cessna 208 Caravan, introduced by the American manufacturer Cessna in 1984, is a single‑engine, high‑wing turboprop that quickly became a workhorse for regional airlines, cargo operators, and humanitarian missions. Developed from the earlier Cessna 207, the Caravan was designed to combine the rugged simplicity of Cessna’s piston aircraft with the reliability and performance of a turboprop engine, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A‑140 delivering 675 shaft horsepower. Its spacious, box‑shaped fuselage can be configured for up to nine passengers, a cargo pallet, or specialty equipment such as aerial survey sensors, making the type extremely versatile. The aircraft’s fixed tricycle landing gear, large flaps, and generous ground clearance enable operations from short, unpaved runways and remote airstrips. Over the decades, the Caravan has amassed more than 2,500 deliveries worldwide, serving airlines in North America, Africa, and the Pacific, as well as the U.S. Forest Service and military forces. Its reputation for low operating costs, high dispatch reliability, and ease of maintenance has cemented its role as a pivotal platform in short‑haul transport, disaster relief, and sky‑diving, influencing the design of many modern utility turboprops.

Cessna

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