C208 Caravan / C208B Grand Caravan
The turbine-powered 208 Caravan and its stretched variant the 208B Grand-Caravan allow large payloads to be carried over great distances
The Cessna 208 Caravan has become the backbone of MAF’s fleet and provides a great combination of range, capacity and flexibility.
The simple design and construction, along with a reliable Pratt and Whitney turbine engine which runs on Jet fuel, combine to keep maintenance time and costs to a minimum.
To suit rough airstrips, the Caravans are fitted with sturdy landing gear, larger tires, mud flaps, rubber scraper for the nose tire, and slighter longer nose gear to help prevent mud and rocks being thrown into the propeller when landing.
Right now, there is simply no other single engine aircraft in the category of a Caravan which is better suited for the work in South Sudan.
– Roland Sedlmeier, MAF pilot
Fully equipped for instrument flying, with GPS, weather radar and Stormscope, the Caravan is reliable and can still operate safely in more challenging conditions such as storms or during the rainy season.
In Mongolia for example, where ground temperatures can drop as low as -40ºC in winter, the Grand Caravan is fitted with full de-icing equipment.
Profile
The turbine-powered 208 Caravan and its stretched variant the 208B Grand Caravan allow large payloads to be carried over great distances.
Capacity
Carries up to 13 passengers (208B) and 1,150kg supplies
Performance
Cruising speed: 170 mph
Did you know?
Caravans are popular sky diving aircraft! Before you ask, it’s not something we offer…
Number in worldwide fleet
9 (208)
20 (208B)
Places in use
Angola
Chad
DR Congo
Haiti
Indonesia
Kenya
Madagascar
Mongolia
Papua New Guinea
South Sudan
Uganda
Stories featuring the 208/208B
MAF responds to Cyclone Kenneth in Mozambique
While still struggling to recover from the devastation of Cyclone Idai in March, Mozambique was hit again by another cyclone, Kenneth, in April. MAF flights continue to deliver aid and relief to those in [...]
MAF flies measles vaccines in Madagascar
In early April, the MAF team in Madagascar flew 375,200 live doses of measles vaccinations to assist in the fight against this killer childhood disease. Madagascar is currently experiencing a severe outbreak of the [...]
MAF helps open an airstrip in Buzi, Mozambique, to support field hospital
MAF's work in response to cyclone Idai in Mozambique has shifted from disaster relief to long term development as arrangements for work and approvals are made so that a new airstrip could be opened [...]
March 25 update on MAF relief efforts in Mozambique
The MAF team is busy conducting survey flights for the many NGOs and agencies that are now arriving in Beira to provide aid, such as UNHAS, World Vision, International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP), Samaritan’s Purse, [...]
MAF continues relief flights in response to Cyclone Idai
The Ambassador Aviation (MAF) team in Mozambique continues their Cyclone Idai disaster response work, using the Cessna 208 Caravan from the Nampula, Mozambique base. Recent flights have provided tents, hygiene kits, family kits, and [...]
MAF provides relief flights in response to Cyclone Idai
MAF has been assisting with disaster relief flights in the wake of Cyclone Idai. The powerful tropical cyclone hit the coastal city of Beira, Mozambique. Early reports say there are over 100 deaths and [...]