Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and 360 are twin‑turboprop aircraft in the same family, with similar categories and missions, but the 360 is positioned as the higher‑end variant with more cabin refinement and typically slightly better usable range depending on configuration. Both generally seat about 7–9 passengers in typical executive layouts. The Beechcraft King Air Denali is a newer, larger single‑engine turboprop concept aimed above traditional single‑engine utility types; it is expected to carry roughly 6–9 passengers and to offer a longer range than many light turboprops, though exact in‑service figures depend on final certification and options. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet rather than a turboprop, designed for higher cruise speeds and jet comfort while retaining strong short/rough‑field capability; it commonly carries about 6–10 passengers and offers a range broadly comparable to, or somewhat greater than, many turboprops in this class, depending on payload and reserves. Overall, the King Airs emphasize proven twin‑turboprop versatility, Denali targets efficient single‑engine performance with more cabin size, and the PC‑24 targets jet speed with flexible runway access.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 4.08 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | KingAir Denali | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 1600 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 3280 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,111 | $ 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 | 285 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $4,150,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 11065 | 23500 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | FWD |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | Catalyst™ | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | — | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | — | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 14.86 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 54.3 | 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 | 12.6 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 4.65 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 12.6 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 48 | 90 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | Flat Floor |