Description:
The Cessna 208B Caravan is manufactured by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Incorporated in 1911, the Cessna Aircraft Company has a legacy of aircraft production spanning almost a century. At the end of 1995 Cessna had produced a total of 178,394 aircraft.

The Caravan was designed at the outset to be simple, rugged and reliable. The first prototype Caravan flew in 1982. Full production commenced in 1985. The principle user of the Caravan is Federal Express, who utilise the aircraft for overnight parcel delivery. In this application the aircraft is operated at night and frequently in poor weather. It's incredible 99.8% dispatch rate is a testament to the success of the design. In 1986, at the request of Federal Express, a stretched version of the Cessna Caravan, the Cessna Grand Caravan was put into production.

For Wilderness Air, the Caravan has proven to be the best passenger carrying bush aircraft in our fleet for sectors of from 20 to 300 km. Though it is still comfortable and is on occasion used on sectors up to 1000km. The aircraft is capable of taking off from nearly all bush airstrips we service. This is made possible by its large wheels, a very efficient wing and powerful engine. Its wide spacious air conditioned cabin, large windows and unrestricted view, made possible by a high wing make the Caravan very popular with all our passengers. The 4-door cargo pod located under the fuselage also gives the aircraft a very generous luggage carrying capacity.

Specifications:
ENGINE TYPE:
Single engine turbine


PRESSURISED CABIN:
No

CRUISING ALTITUDE:
12 000ft

DEMURRAGE:
650km/day

PAX:
12 passenger seats - maximum

SPEED:
260km/h

CREW:
1

PERFORMANCE:
The Caravan is not pressurised. It therefore operates at a maximum altitude of 12,000ft when carrying passengers. Typically on a 30 minute sector the plane will be flown at 6,500ft.