Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

This is probably the workhorse of FSE (and often tops the list of “most flown” planes). It carries 13 passengers, which sits in a sweet spot of not too big to actually fill, but large enough to bring in considerable amounts of money. However, its size doesn’t particularly lend itself to servicing 1-lot FBOs without planning. I have read that 2x 2-lot FBOs pointed at each other with a Cessna 208 to fly the jobs between them is a great money making option.

One hiccup is tha the FSEconomy model assumes a range of ~1,000 nm¹, while the MSFS 2024 model only has a range of ~850 nm, although this can be extended in practice through good fuel management, higher cruising altitudes, and a good tail wind.

However, the lucrative v$20k / 7 passenger VIP / 900-1,200 nm assignments I sometimes chase aren’t a great fit with the 208 due to modest cruise speeds (in part, due to lower operating ceiling) and limited range. I’ve had better luck with the CJ4.

Included in the base game of MSFS. It include a G1000 “glass cockpit”. In general, it’s rather forgiving to fly with low take off and stall speeds. Fixed landing gear. Not hugely fast, with a cruise speed of ~140 kts.

At cruise, I aim for ~300 GPH (Gallons Per Hour) of fuel, which is probably ~70% throttle.

“Street price” is often ~v$700,000, but can be had starting at ~v$550,000 or even v$500,000 if you’re lucky. Leases are typically v$20-25,000/month, but I have seen as low as v$10,000/month. Monthly maintenance cost is ~v$4,500/month. They seem to rent between v$400 and v$650/hr.

• Titan has one for lease for v$10,000/month (v$12,000 the first month)
• RacAir has one for lease at v$14,500/month (also for sale at v$590,000 or rent at $450/hr)
• MyrAir leases several for v$20,000/month
• SAI has two for lease for v$24,000/month

My planes:

• C-FZVQ — bought from a financing company (I assume recently repossessed) for v$490,000 (plus some extra for financing) in March 2025 at Seattle (KSEA)