Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Cessna Skycourier vs Piper M600 Sls
In category, the Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360 are pressurized, twin‑engine turboprop business/utility aircraft, with the 360 positioned as the more premium, longer‑leg, higher‑capability evolution. The Cessna SkyCourier is also a twin‑turboprop, but it is fundamentally a high‑utility cargo/commuter aircraft optimized for freight and short, rugged operations rather than executive transport. The Piper M600 SLS is a pressurized, single‑engine turboprop aimed at owner‑pilots, trading the redundancy and volume of twins for simpler operation and lower operating complexity. On range, the King Air 360 generally offers the longest legs of the group, the King Air 260 is slightly shorter but still strong for regional missions, the M600 SLS is competitive for typical business trip distances, and the SkyCourier tends to be more mid‑range, prioritizing payload and cycle efficiency over maximum nonstop distance. For passenger capacity, the SkyCourier typically carries the most in commuter layout, the King Air 260/360 usually seat fewer in comfortable executive configurations (though can be arranged for more), and the M600 SLS is the smallest, commonly configured for about five to six passengers plus a pilot.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Cessna SkyCourier | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | — | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | SkyCourier | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 900 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | — | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 19 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 19 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | — | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 200 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $7,375,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 21 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 19 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 19 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — | 12600 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | MID |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | PT6A-65SC | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 6000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 1100 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | — | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 54.9 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 72 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | — | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 19.8 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | — | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 165 |