Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Skycourier vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a pressurized twin‑turboprop positioned as a flexible corporate and utility aircraft, typically carrying about 6 to 9 passengers with a range around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Beechcraft King Air Denali is a newer, larger single‑engine turboprop aimed at the upper end of the business/utility market; it is generally expected to seat about 6 to 9 passengers with a projected range around 1,500–1,600 nautical miles. The Cessna SkyCourier is a rugged, high‑payload twin‑turboprop designed primarily for regional cargo and commuter missions; in passenger form it is typically configured for about 19 passengers, with range commonly around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on load. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a premium single‑engine turboprop optimized for executive transport and special missions, most often carrying about 6 to 9 passengers with a range around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles. Overall, SkyCourier leads on passenger capacity, while King Air 260 and PC‑12 NGX emphasize longer-range executive versatility, and Denali targets similar missions with newer design priorities.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna SkyCourier | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.08 | — | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir Denali | SkyCourier | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1600 | 900 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | — | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 19 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3280 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,111 | — | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 285 | 200 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,150,000 | $7,375,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Flushing | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 19 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5 | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 11065 | — | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | Catalyst™ | PT6A-65SC | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | — | 6000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 1100 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | — | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 14.86 | 54.9 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 54.3 | 72 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | — | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 4.65 | 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 | — | 40 |