Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Skycourier vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
Category-wise, the King Air 260 and the King Air Denali are pressurized twin‑engine turboprops aimed at executive and special‑mission use; the Denali is a newer, larger‑cabin concept positioned to bridge the gap toward larger singles like the PC‑12. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a pressurized single‑engine turboprop optimized for executive travel and air ambulance, balancing speed and cabin volume. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX and Daher Kodiak 100 Series III are rugged, unpressurized single‑engine utility turboprops built for short/rough fields, regional connectivity, and freight. The Cessna SkyCourier is a larger, unpressurized twin‑engine utility aircraft designed primarily for high‑volume cargo and regional passenger shuttle work. On range, the PC‑12 NGX and the King Air 260 generally sit at the long‑range end (roughly around 1,500+ nm depending on payload/reserves), with the Denali expected to be in a similar long‑range bracket. The Caravan EX, Kodiak 100, and SkyCourier typically operate in shorter regional ranges (often about 800–1,200 nm, mission dependent). Passenger capacity is typically 6–9 for the King Air 260 and PC‑12 in executive layouts, about 9–11 for Caravan and Kodiak commuter setups, and up to 19 for the SkyCourier in airline-style seating.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Cessna SkyCourier | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.08 | $ 3.15 | — | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir Denali | Grand Caravan EX | SkyCourier | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1600 | 964 | 900 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.39 | — | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 | 19 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3280 | 3332 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,111 | $ 614 | — | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 285 | 195 | 200 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,150,000 | $2,695,000 | $7,375,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Flushing | No | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 | 19 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5 | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 11065 | — | — | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | Catalyst™ | PT6A-140 | PT6A-65SC | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | — | 4000 | 6000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 867 | 1100 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | ISA + 24 | — | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | 335 | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 14.86 | 41.6 | 54.9 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 54.3 | 52.1 | 72 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | 16.8 | — | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 4.65 | 15.1 | 19.8 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | — | — | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 48 | 32 | — | 40 |