Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The King Air 260 and King Air 360 are closely related twin‑turboprops in the same family: both typically seat about 7–9 passengers in executive layouts, with the 360 generally offering a more premium cabin and higher performance. In broad terms, their practical mission ranges are in the mid‑1,000‑nautical‑mile class, with the 360 usually stretching farther than the 260 depending on payload and reserves. The King Air Denali is a newer, larger clean‑sheet single‑engine turboprop positioned above the King Air twins in cabin size and efficiency for many missions. It is generally aimed at about 8–10 passengers and targets roughly the 1,500‑nautical‑mile range class, again varying by configuration. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is also a single‑engine turboprop and a direct competitor to Denali in concept: it commonly carries 6–9 passengers (with high‑density options higher) and is known for strong real‑world range typically around the 1,500‑nautical‑mile class. Overall, the King Air models emphasize twin‑engine capability, while Denali and PC‑12 emphasize single‑engine efficiency with larger cabins.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 4.08 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | KingAir Denali | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 1600 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 3280 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,111 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 285 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $4,150,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 11065 | 13100 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | Catalyst™ | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | — | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | — | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 14.86 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 54.3 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 12.6 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 4.65 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 12.6 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 48 | 40 |