Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop positioned primarily as a short‑to‑mid range corporate and utility aircraft. It typically carries about 6 to 9 passengers depending on interior configuration, and its range is generally around 1,500 to 1,700 nautical miles, making it well suited to regional missions with added redundancy from two engines. The Beechcraft King Air Denali is a newer, larger single‑engine turboprop aimed at competing in the high‑end utility/business single market. It is expected to seat roughly 6 to 9 passengers in most executive layouts, with a projected range in the neighborhood of about 1,600 nautical miles, emphasizing efficiency, modern avionics, and cabin comfort in a single‑engine package. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a proven single‑engine turboprop known for versatility and strong payload/range utility. It commonly seats 6 to 9 passengers in executive configurations (and can be arranged for more in commuter layouts), and typically offers about 1,700 to 1,800 nautical miles of range, often edging the others on single‑engine utility and cabin/cargo flexibility.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.08 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir Denali | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1600 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3280 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,111 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 285 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,150,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 11065 | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | Catalyst™ | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | — | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 14.86 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 54.3 | 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 | 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 |