Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Gulfstream G280 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and 360ER are twin‑turboprop utility/business aircraft; the 260 is typically used for shorter regional missions, while the 360ER is the long‑range variant with substantially greater endurance. Both generally seat about 6–9 passengers depending on configuration. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop optimized for fast owner‑pilot travel; it typically carries 4–6 passengers and offers long single‑pilot range. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is also a single‑engine turboprop but larger and more utility‑oriented, commonly seating 6–9 and offering strong range with excellent short/rough‑field capability. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a distinctive twin‑turboprop positioned closer to light jets in speed; it usually seats 6–8 with solid medium‑to‑long range. Stepping into jets, the Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet for high‑speed regional missions, typically 6–9 passengers with medium range. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light jet designed for versatility and shorter runways, usually 6–10 passengers with medium range. The Gulfstream G280 is a super‑midsize jet, carrying roughly 8–10 with the longest range of this group.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Daher TBM 960 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Gulfstream G280 | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.37 | $ 2.25 | $ 3.88 | $ 6.57 | — | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — | — | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Daher TBM | Embraer | Gulfstream | Piaggio | Pilatus | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350ER | TBM 960 | Phenom 300E | G280 | Avanti EVO | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 2338 | 1730 | 2,010 | 3600 | 1530 | 1803 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.82 | — | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — | 10 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 6585 | 2908 | 6914 | 15550 | 3775 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,324 | $ 744 | $ 1,758 | $ 3,168 | — | $ 793 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 303 | 330 | 464 | 481 | 400 | 290 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $8,750,000 | $4,450,000 | $9,650,000 | $24,900,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Yes (Belted Optional) | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — | AFT | AFT | — | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9 | 5.8 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Center | — | Galley | Galley | No | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 14390 | 25560 | 25000 | 24000 | 13100 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | Optional | — | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | MID | FWD | FWD | — | — | FWD |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No | No | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No | No | — | — | No |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | 5800 | 6600 | — | — |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | TBM 960 | Canada PW535E1 | HTF7250G | PT6A–66B | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 3500 | 5000 | On-Condition | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 850 | — | — | 850 | 1200 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 49 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 775 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3360 | 7624 | — | — | 3435 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | — | 757 | — | — | — | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | — | — | 100 | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 35.3 | 51.2 | 66.9 | 47.3 | 47.25 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 42.1 | 52.16 | 63 | 47.1 | 53.33 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 13.4 | 17.2 | 25.9 | 14.9 | 16.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | — | 16.75 | 21.4 | 13.1 | 14 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | — | 3.6 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 4.25 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | — | 14.8 | 17.7 | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | — | 10 | 154 | 35.2 | 40 | 90 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 123 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | 0.3 | 0.3 | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 74 | — | — | — | — |