Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
In category, the Beechcraft King Air 260 is a pressurized twin‑engine turboprop, valued for redundancy and short/rough‑field flexibility. The Beechcraft King Air Denali is a newer, single‑engine turboprop positioned as a modern, high‑performance step between traditional singles and light twins. The Daher TBM 960 is also a single‑engine turboprop but emphasizes speed and efficiency for owner‑pilot missions. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop optimized for utility, cabin volume, and unimproved‑strip capability. In range, the TBM 960 is typically the longest‑legged in this group, often cited around the 1,700‑nm class depending on reserves and power settings. The PC‑12 NGX and Denali generally sit in a similar long‑range tier around roughly 1,500–1,600 nm in typical references, while the King Air 260 is usually shorter, commonly around the 1,000–1,500 nm bracket depending on configuration and payload. For passenger capacity, the King Air 260 and PC‑12 NGX commonly seat about 6–9, the Denali is generally planned around 6–8, and the TBM 960 typically carries about 4–6 in comfort (up to 6–7 with options).
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Daher TBM 960 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.08 | $ 2.25 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Daher TBM | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir Denali | TBM 960 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1600 | 1730 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3280 | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,111 | $ 744 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 285 | 330 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,150,000 | $4,450,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Flushing | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 6 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5 | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | — | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 11065 | 14390 | 13100 |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | Catalyst™ | TBM 960 | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | — | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 850 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | ISA + 49 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 14.86 | 35.3 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 54.3 | 42.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | 13.4 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 4.65 | — | 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 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 123 | — |