Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 24&ved=2ahUKEwj8m4v_1smCAxWSkGoFHdDCB9wQFnoECBIQAQ
The Beechcraft King Air 260, 360, and 360ER are twin‑turboprops aimed at short to midrange missions, generally carrying about six to nine passengers depending on interior and operator choices. The King Air 260 is the shorter‑range, lower‑weight option for regional hops. The King Air 360 is a step up with more capability and cabin refinement. The King Air 360ER is the long‑range variant, trading in extra fuel capacity for notably more reach than the 260/360. The Cessna Citation CJ4 and Embraer Phenom 300E are light business jets, typically configured for around six to nine passengers, and generally offer higher cruise speeds than the King Airs with solid range for multi‑state or regional‑to‑national trips. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet positioned for versatility, commonly seating six to ten, with range comparable to or better than many light jets and a key differentiator: strong short/rough‑field capability, making it attractive for accessing smaller airports that are less practical for many jets.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 4.37 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.88 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | KingAir 350ER | CJ4 | Phenom 300E | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 2338 | 2170 | 2,010 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 6585 | 6914 | 6914 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,324 | $ 1,970 | $ 1,758 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 303 | 440 | 464 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $8,750,000 | $11,290,000 | $9,650,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | Yes (Belted Optional) | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 9 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | Refreshment Center | Galley | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — | 24005 | 25560 | 23500 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Optional | — | — | Yes |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No | No | No |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | PT6A-60A | FJ44-4A | Canada PW535E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 1050 | — | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | 775 | 870 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3621 | 3360 | 3435 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | — | 757 | 757 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 46.7 | 53.4 | 51.2 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 50 | 52.16 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 17.2 | 17.2 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 14.4 | 15.5 | 16.75 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 14.8 | 14.8 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 71 | 7 | 10 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | 0.4 | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 70 | 74 | — |