Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and 360 are twin‑turboprop utility/exec aircraft in the same family; both typically carry about 6–9 passengers depending on interior, with the 360 generally offering the more premium cabin and greater capability. In range terms, the King Air 260 is roughly in the ~1,700 nm class, while the King Air 360 is typically around ~1,800 nm. The Beechcraft King Air Denali is a newer single‑engine turboprop aimed at the upper end of the single market, broadly comparable in mission to the PC‑12; it is expected to seat about 6–9 passengers and target about ~1,600 nm of range (program specifications may vary with certification and options). The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop known for utility and short/rough‑field flexibility; it commonly carries about 6–9 passengers and offers roughly ~1,800 nm range. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet rather than a turboprop, optimized for speed and jet operating profiles while retaining access to shorter runways; it typically carries about 6–10 passengers and is generally around ~2,000 nm range, depending on configuration and reserves.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 4.08 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Pilatus | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | KingAir Denali | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 1600 | 1803 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 3280 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,111 | $ 793 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 285 | 290 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $4,150,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 5.8 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | No | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 11065 | 13100 | 23500 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | — | FWD |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | — | No |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | Catalyst™ | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | — | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | — | 1200 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | — | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | — | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 14.86 | 47.25 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 54.3 | 53.33 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 12.6 | 16.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 4.65 | 14 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.25 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 12.6 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 48 | 40 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | — | Flat Floor |