It’s back, bigger, better, faster, and with another blade on the prop! Our Cessna Grand Caravan recently returned from its Supervan 900 conversion and we are LOVING IT!!!! It’s not every drop zone that can call its Caravan the “fast plane” with everything else we have on the field. The Supervan is hauling jumpers to altitude fast enough to slide you to the tail if you’re not paying attention to your balance on climb. Here’s the stats on the Supervan:
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: Skydiving configuration: Maximum 17 passengers and one pilot. With seats, nine passengers or 14 with FAR Part 23 waiver
- Dimensions
- Length: 12.67 m (41 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 15.88 m (52 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.32 m (14 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 26.0 m2 (280 sq ft)
| Supervan 900 Specifications vs. OEM | ||
|---|---|---|
| Specification | Standard OEM Grand Caravan* | Supervan 900 |
| Engine | PT6A-114A | TPE331-12JR |
| Horsepower | 675 shp flat-rated | 900 shp flat-rated |
| Torque | 1865 | 2971 ft-lbs |
| TBO | 3600 hrs | 7000 hrs |
| Max gross weight | 8750 lbs | 9062 lbs * |
| Std. empty weight (wheels) | 4575 lbs | 4675 lbs |
| Useful Load (wheels) | 4175 lbs | 4387 lbs * |
| Climb (ISA- g.w.) | 975 ft/min | 1510 ft/min |
| Max Cruise (10,000 ft.) | 175 kts | 198 kts |
| Max Cruise fuel flow | 396 lbs/hr | 435 lbs/hr |
| Takeoff (ground roll) | 1405 ft. | 1054ft |
| Takeoff (50′ obstacle) | 2420 ft | 1875 ft |
| Landing (wheels) | 950 ft | 950 ft |
| Power loading | 13 lbs/shp | 10.1 lbs/shp |
| Stall Speed- flaps | 61 kts | 61 kts |
| Endurance (max cruise- standard fuel) | 5.6 hrs | 6.2 hrs |
| Range (max cruise- standard fuel) | 915 nm | 1000 nm |
| * With gross weight increase kit installed | ||