Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360 are twin‑turboprop business aircraft in the same family: both are typically used for corporate, charter, and special‑mission work, with the 360 positioned as the more premium, higher‑capability variant. In general use they serve similar passenger loads, usually around six to nine passengers depending on cabin layout, with the 360 commonly configured toward the upper end and offering more comfort-focused options. Range for both is broadly in the mid‑to‑upper 1,000‑nautical‑mile class, with the 360 generally offering a modest edge depending on configuration and reserves. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop, valued for efficiency, payload flexibility, and access to shorter or less‑prepared runways. It typically carries about six to nine passengers and commonly offers longer range than many twin‑turboprops, often around the 1,800‑nautical‑mile class. The Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet, optimized for speed and higher cruise altitudes. It typically seats about six to ten and offers transcontinental‑style range in the ~2,000‑nautical‑mile class, generally outperforming the turboprops on speed while trading off some short‑field versatility.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 3.88 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | Phenom 300E | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 2,010 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 6914 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 1,758 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 464 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $9,650,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 9.4 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 25560 | 13100 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | — |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | Canada PW535E1 | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3360 | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | 757 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 51.2 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 52.16 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 17.2 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 16.75 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 14.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 10 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | 0.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 74 | — |