Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
The Beechcraft King Air 260, King Air 360, and King Air 360ER are twin‑engine, pressurized turboprops aimed at faster, higher‑altitude business and utility missions, while the Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine, mostly unpressurized utility turboprop optimized for rugged, short‑field regional work. In passenger capacity, King Air 260 and 360 typically seat about 6 to 9 passengers depending on interior layout, and the 360ER is similar in cabin seating but can be configured for special missions; the Grand Caravan EX commonly seats about 9 to 14 passengers depending on commuter versus executive configuration. In range, the King Air 260 is generally around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles, the King Air 360 is roughly around 1,800 nautical miles, and the King Air 360ER extends endurance to about 2,000+ nautical miles with added fuel capacity. The Grand Caravan EX typically offers a shorter range, commonly around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. Overall, the King Air family prioritizes speed, pressurization, and longer legs, while the Caravan emphasizes payload flexibility and simple operations.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.15 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | KingAir 350ER | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 2338 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 6585 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,324 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 303 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $8,750,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | Yes (Belted Optional) | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | Refreshment Center | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Optional | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | PT6A-60A | PT6A-140 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 1050 | 867 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 24 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | 775 | 335 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 46.7 | 41.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 16.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 14.4 | 15.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 19.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 71 | 32 |