Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation Cj4
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and the Cessna Citation CJ4 serve different roles within business aviation. The King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop, valued for versatility, lower operating speeds, and strong short/rougher runway capability, making it well suited to regional missions and smaller airports. The Citation CJ4 is a light business jet, designed for higher cruise speeds and higher-altitude operations, typically delivering faster trip times on longer city pairs. In range, the King Air 260 is generally optimized for shorter to mid-length trips, with typical range figures around 1,500–1,700 nautical miles depending on payload and conditions. The CJ4 usually offers longer legs for the light-jet class, commonly around 2,000+ nautical miles, again depending on reserves, winds, and load. For passenger capacity, both are often configured for about 6 to 9 passengers in typical corporate layouts. The CJ4 commonly seats 7 to 10 in standard configurations, while the King Air 260 is frequently arranged for 6 to 9, with flexibility for special-mission or utility seating.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation CJ4 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.37 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | CJ4 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 2170 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 6914 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,970 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $11,290,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 24005 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-4A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 11 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 870 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3621 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 757 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 53.4 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 50 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 17.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 15.5 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 14.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 7 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 70 |