Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Beechcraft King Air 260, 360, and 360ER are twin‑turboprop business aircraft, while the Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine light business jet. In category terms, the King Airs emphasize turboprop efficiency, short-field practicality, and lower operating speeds; the PC‑24 trades higher fuel burn for faster cruise and jet performance with strong rough/short‑runway capability for a jet. On range, the King Air 260 is the shortest‑leg option, typically suited to regional missions. The King Air 360 extends range meaningfully beyond the 260, and the King Air 360ER is the long‑range turboprop in this set, designed for the longest legs and endurance of the three Beechcraft variants. The PC‑24 generally offers jet-class range comparable to, or better than, the standard King Air 360, but the 360ER can match or exceed it depending on load, reserves, and mission profile. For passenger capacity, all four commonly seat around six to eight passengers in executive layouts. The PC‑24 can be configured for more in commuter-style seating, while King Air cabins typically top out lower in practical executive comfort.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | KingAir 350ER | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 2338 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 6585 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,324 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 303 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $8,750,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | Yes (Belted Optional) | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | Refreshment Center | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — | 23500 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Optional | Yes |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | PT6A-60A | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 1050 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | 775 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 46.7 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 14.4 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 71 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | Flat Floor |