Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Piper M350
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360ER are twin‑engine turboprops aimed at utility, corporate, and special‑mission use, while the Piper M350 is a single‑engine, pressurized piston aircraft positioned for owner‑pilots and lighter business travel. In category terms, the King Airs generally offer higher payload flexibility and runway performance typical of commercial‑grade turboprops, whereas the M350 emphasizes lower operating complexity and cost with turbine‑like cabin pressurization in a piston platform. For range, the King Air 360ER is the long‑leg variant and is designed for the greatest endurance and distance of the three, making it the best fit for extended missions with reserves. The King Air 260 typically offers strong regional range but less than the 360ER. The M350 provides solid cross‑country capability, but its practical range is usually shorter than the 360ER and often comparable to or somewhat below the 260 depending on loading and cruise settings. For passenger capacity, the King Air 260 and 360ER usually seat more people in typical executive layouts, while the Piper M350 generally carries fewer passengers.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Piper M350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.37 | $ 1.34 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350ER | M350 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 2338 | 1343 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.22 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 6585 | 1308 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,324 | $ 285 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 303 | 213 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $8,750,000 | $1,195,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Yes (Belted Optional) | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Center | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | Optional | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | TIO-540-AE2A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 350 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 775 | 120 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 29 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 43 |
| 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 | 11.4 |
| 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 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 13 |