Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The Caravan programme began in the early 1980s, with the prototype flying in 1982. Its high wing, fixed gear and large cabin were organised around practical utility work. The longer 208B developed into the Grand Caravan as well as dedicated freight configurations. Wheeled aircraft, cargo pods and amphibious floats give the family several recognisable forms.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗From simulator preparation to the real aircraft
Horne prepared in a FlightSafety simulator before moving to the real Grand Caravan. The sessions introduced its glass cockpit and approach work, but the aircraft itself still made an impression: reaching the flight deck meant climbing a ladder, and the cockpit had the scale of a much larger working machine. The demonstration aircraft carried a cargo pod and TKS equipment. Flying close to its maximum weight, he found that the ailerons and rudder asked for deliberate effort.
AOPA Pilot · March 2009. FlightSafety preparation with Jeff Enochs, followed by a G1000-equipped Grand Caravan flight with Cessna’s Jim Oliver.
AOPA Pilot · Read more ↗Avionics choices persist between flights
The tablet saves avionics selections and allows several radio/GPS arrangements. The manual explains which selected GPS can drive the HSI and autopilot, including a limitation when the Working Title GNS 530 occupies NAV2. Confirming a changed arrangement reconfigures the avionics and disengages the autopilot.
Cessna Caravan family · Black Square · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Black Square / Just Flight · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
captmoonbeam
A Cessna Caravan Flight and EMERGENCY Power
An operational flight account with a discussion of emergency power.
Real Cessna Caravan
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Cessna Caravan family
The Caravan programme began in the early 1980s, with the prototype flying in 1982. Its high wing, fixed gear and large cabin were organised around practical utility work. The longer 208B developed into the Grand Caravan as well as dedicated freight configurations.
Wheeled aircraft, cargo pods and amphibious floats give the family several recognisable forms. Simulator versions also differ sharply in cockpit philosophy, from modern glass panels to analogue conversions and new standalone aircraft. Each product has its own cockpit and systems description.
Cessna Caravan
Cessna → · Explore the family →
Cessna Caravan family
Wikipedia contributors · Cessna 208 Caravan ↗Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
A utility turboprop grows into a family
Cessna launched the Caravan programme in 1981, flew the prototype in 1982 and began deliveries in 1985. The stretched, freight-focused 208B Super Cargomaster followed, with certification in 1986; the first production Grand Caravan was delivered in 1990. Passenger services, freight, government work and humanitarian flying became recurring uses for the family.
Textron Aviation · Textron Aviation delivers 3,000th Cessna Caravan family aircraft ↗Textron Aviation · January 2023 programme chronology
Glass cockpits and the Grand Caravan EX
The manufacturer’s timeline places standard G1000 avionics in 2008 and the start of Grand Caravan EX deliveries in 2013, with the PT6A-140 engine. G1000 NXi followed as standard equipment in 2017. These changes explain some of the differences between older Caravan accounts and later EX cockpits, alongside the choice of landplane or amphibious configuration.
Textron Aviation · Textron Aviation delivers 3,000th Cessna Caravan family aircraft ↗Textron Aviation · January 2023 · dated family milestones
Development milestones
First flight: December 9, 1982
Wikipedia contributors · Cessna 208 Caravan ↗Cessna 208 Caravan · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1367834803
Pilot accounts
From simulator preparation to the real aircraft
Horne prepared in a FlightSafety simulator before moving to the real Grand Caravan. The sessions introduced its glass cockpit and approach work, but the aircraft itself still made an impression: reaching the flight deck meant climbing a ladder, and the cockpit had the scale of a much larger working machine. The demonstration aircraft carried a cargo pod and TKS equipment.
Flying close to its maximum weight, he found that the ailerons and rudder asked for deliberate effort. Changes in configuration brought more trimming, while the stall exercises felt comparatively mild. Landing introduced the practical effect of the large propeller’s drag and the need to coordinate power carefully. His simulator preparation preceded the flight with Oliver.
AOPA Pilot · March 2009. FlightSafety preparation with Jeff Enochs, followed by a G1000-equipped Grand Caravan flight with Cessna’s Jim Oliver.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗A piston pilot meets the Grand Caravan EX
Hitchen approached the Grand Caravan EX with the expectations of a piston pilot and some apprehension about its size and turbine engine. Wilson took care of departure before handing over for airwork. The controls initially seemed heavy, and Hitchen repeatedly overshot headings as he adjusted to an aircraft with more momentum than his usual mount.
Familiarity softened that first impression: he came to find it responsive once he understood how much input it wanted. Wilson coached the descent, including the need to manage speed, and Hitchen made his first Caravan landing with the wind conveniently aligned with the runway. His humour about breaking his usual first-landing jinx gives the report its character. It remains an introduction under a demonstrator pilot’s guidance, with the pleasure of discovering that a large aircraft could become approachable.
Australian Flying · March 2020. Demonstration in N522EX from Essendon with James Wilson; Wilson flew the takeoff, and Hitchen flew airwork and a landing.
Read the full account · Australian Flying ↗Considering a Caravan after a legal career
Humphries was considering what aviation might become after retiring from legal practice. People had asked about flights to court appearances, and the Caravan suggested a possible combination of business transport and family use. Before the demonstration, he worked through a lengthy FlightSafety manual, trying to arrive with some understanding of an aircraft larger than his usual flying involved.
Allenbaugh’s guidance helped turn that preparation into an enjoyable flight. Humphries hand-flew throughout and was pleased by the roll response, the cockpit view and the comfortable ride through turbulence. Air conditioning had its own appeal in the Texas heat. Back on the ground, he was enthusiastic but still weighing the idea. He had not made a purchase decision or established a charter operation.
Humphries Aviation · August 2021. Demonstration at Sugar Land, Texas, with Terry Allenbaugh in a 675-hp Caravan with G1000 avionics and an executive interior.
Read the full account · Humphries Aviation ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024208 B Grand Caravan EX
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
208 B Grand Caravan EX
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024Cessna Caravan family · Black Square
Black Square · Released
Cessna Caravan family · Black Square
Black Square · Released
X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12C208 Grand Caravan DGS
Thranda · Released
C208 Grand Caravan DGS
Thranda · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 37 ft 7 in (11.46 m) |
| Wingspan | 52 ft 1 in (15.87 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 11 in (4.53 m) |
| Wing area | 279 sq ft (25.96 m² ) |
| Empty weight | 4,730 lb (2,145 kg) |
| Max takeoff weight | 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A -114A turboprop, 675 shp (503 kW) |
| Propellers | 3-bladed McCauley constant speed, full feathering, reversible pitch |
| Cruise speed | 186 kn (214 mph, 344 km/h) true air speed |
| Stall speed | 61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) calibrated air speed |
| Range | 1,070 nmi (1,230 mi, 1,980 km) |
| Service ceiling | 25,000 ft (7,600 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,234 ft/min (6.27 m/s) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
Avionics choices persist between flightsCessna Caravan family · Black Square · Black Square · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
The tablet saves avionics selections and allows several radio/GPS arrangements. The manual explains which selected GPS can drive the HSI and autopilot, including a limitation when the Working Title GNS 530 occupies NAV2. Confirming a changed arrangement reconfigures the avionics and disengages the autopilot.
Caravan Professional guide 2026 · PDF p.79
Black Square / Just Flight · Read the source ↗Watch the electrical system respondCessna Caravan family · Black Square · Black Square · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
A live tablet schematic shows powered connections, inactive equipment and circuit paths. This gives the simmer a visual way to follow the electrical model as aircraft switches and equipment change state. It complements the analogue cockpit with a diagram of what the simulation is doing.
Caravan Professional guide 2026 · PDF p.93
Black Square / Just Flight · Read the source ↗A standalone Caravan with several working configurationsCessna Caravan family · Black Square · Black Square · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Black Square's Caravan Professional is a standalone aircraft, distinct from its earlier Analog Caravan expansion. The manual describes wheeled, cargo and amphibious configurations, a new exterior and cabin model, sounds and interactive aircraft features. Its analogue cockpit and systems form a different product from both the bundled glass-cockpit Grand Caravan and an instrument-panel replacement for it.
Black Square Caravan Professional · PDF p.8; introduction and configurations
Black Square / Just Flight · Read the source ↗Two airframes and configurable cockpitsC208 Grand Caravan DGS · Thranda · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
The DGS package includes the Caravan 675 and Grand Caravan, each with passenger and cargo arrangements. Its expansion adds plain and amphibious floats, landplane options and a G1000 choice in the configurable panel. Instrument presets and an in-sim livery editor let the cockpit and exterior be personalised. The gathered store page lists version 1.2.2, dated June 2023.
Designated X-Plane.org store · gathered 10 September 2026
Thranda / X-Plane.org store · Read the source ↗Configuration and flight-model developmentC208 Grand Caravan DGS · Thranda · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Thranda's Caravan development includes configurable avionics and changes to its X-Plane flight model. The published history records trim balance, propeller drag, G1000 pitch-button behaviour, landing-gear springiness and stall-warning calibration changes. The changes are identified by release number.
C208 DGS; XP12 added v1.2 February 2023 · Version history; v1.2 and later XP12 tuning
Thranda / X-Plane.org store · Read the source ↗Pilot account
From simulator preparation to the real aircraftAOPA Pilot · March 2009. FlightSafety preparation with Jeff Enochs, followed by a G1000-equipped Grand Caravan flight with Cessna’s Jim Oliver.
Horne prepared in a FlightSafety simulator before moving to the real Grand Caravan. The sessions introduced its glass cockpit and approach work, but the aircraft itself still made an impression: reaching the flight deck meant climbing a ladder, and the cockpit had the scale of a much larger working machine. The demonstration aircraft carried a cargo pod and TKS equipment. Flying close to its maximum weight, he found that the ailerons and rudder asked for deliberate effort.
Thomas A. Horne
AOPA Pilot · Read the source ↗A piston pilot meets the Grand Caravan EXAustralian Flying · March 2020. Demonstration in N522EX from Essendon with James Wilson; Wilson flew the takeoff, and Hitchen flew airwork and a landing.
Hitchen approached the Grand Caravan EX with the expectations of a piston pilot and some apprehension about its size and turbine engine. Wilson took care of departure before handing over for airwork. The controls initially seemed heavy, and Hitchen repeatedly overshot headings as he adjusted to an aircraft with more momentum than his usual mount. Familiarity softened that first impression: he came to find it responsive once he understood how much input it wanted.
Steve Hitchen
Australian Flying · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developers Caravan Professional manualBlack Square / Just Flight X-Plane aircraft and avionics manualsLaminar ResearchAircraft background
Cessna 208 CaravanWikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1367834803 · retrieved 2026-09-12 Textron Aviation delivers 3,000th Cessna Caravan family aircraftTextron Aviation · 13 January 2023 · manufacturer programme chronologyResource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoft MSFS 2020 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoft C208 DGSThranda / X-Plane.org storeProduct
Caravan Professional - Amphibian & CargoBlack Square · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12 Caravan Professional - PassengerBlack Square · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12 Steam Gauge Overhaul - Analog CaravanBlack Square · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12Type designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 19 profile choices
Black Square Analog Grand Caravan
Black Square · Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
Black Square Analog Grand Caravan: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Black Square Caravan Professional 208 Passenger
Black Square · Free and Pro · Revision 7 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Black Square Caravan Professional 208 Passenger: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Black Square Caravan Professional 208 Amphibian
Black Square · Free and Pro · Revision 5 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Black Square Caravan Professional 208 Amphibian: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Black Square Caravan Professional 208 Cargomaster
Black Square · Free and Pro · Revision 5 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Black Square Caravan Professional 208 Cargomaster: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Carenado C208B Grand Caravan
Carenado · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Partial review
X-Plane 11
Carenado C208B Grand Caravan: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Carenado C208B Grand Caravan EX G1000
Carenado · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Partial review
X-Plane 11
Carenado C208B Grand Caravan EX G1000: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Thranda C208 Grand Caravan
Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 4 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Thranda C208 Grand Caravan: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Thranda C208 Caravan 675 Short Body
Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Thranda C208 Caravan 675 Short Body: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Thranda C208 Caravan 675 Short Body Amphibian Water Operations
Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Thranda C208 Caravan 675 Short Body Amphibian Water Operations: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative.
Thranda C208 Caravan 675 Short Body Straight Floats
Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Thranda C208 Caravan 675 Short Body Straight Floats: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Thranda C208 Grand Caravan Amphibian Water Operations
Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Thranda C208 Grand Caravan Amphibian Water Operations: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy.
Thranda C208 Grand Caravan Straight Floats
Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Thranda C208 Grand Caravan Straight Floats: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Review pending
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Cessna 208 Caravan
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Review pending
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Cessna 208 Caravan: Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Cessna 208 Caravan (amphibian)
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Review pending
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020 · X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
Cessna 208 Caravan (amphibian): Mechanical links and servo-tab/roll-spoiler assistance motivate the selected speed-dependent yoke response; related flight reports support a qualitative roll-heavy balance.
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Free and Pro · Revision 5 · Partial review
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020 · X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
Mechanical yoke controls, roll spoilers and elevator servo tabs, with stronger roll than pitch in the cited Caravan account.
Cessna 208 Caravan Straight Floats
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A single-engine turboprop workhorse for passenger services, freight and remote-area transport.
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Amphibian
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A single-engine turboprop workhorse for passenger services, freight and remote-area transport.
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Straight Floats
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A single-engine turboprop workhorse for passenger services, freight and remote-area transport.
Documented interfaces
Source-documented identifiers. Documentation does not prove that every add-on populates a value correctly.
L:var_PilotCws
Pilot CWS button; aircraft-specific behavior.
- Units
- Boolean
- Access
- hardware control input; explicit readback contract unknown
Archived manual revision
Black Square / Just Flight · PDF page 128 ↗Discuss this aircraft (0)
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