Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are pressurized turboprops, while the Cessna Citation CJ4 and Embraer Phenom 300E are light business jets. In range, the jets generally lead: the Phenom 300E and Citation CJ4 typically deliver roughly 2,000 nautical miles class range (often quoted around 2,000–2,200 nm depending on reserves and cabin load), supporting more nonstop city pairs than the turboprops. The PC-12 NGX is competitive for a turboprop at about 1,700–1,800 nm, while the King Air 260 is usually in the mid‑1,000 nm range (roughly 1,400–1,700 nm depending on configuration and mission). For passenger capacity, the CJ4 and Phenom 300E commonly seat about 7–9 passengers in executive layouts, though practical comfort is often 6–8 plus crew. The King Air 260 is typically configured for about 6–9, and the PC-12 NGX often carries 6–9 in executive seating, with flexibility for higher-density arrangements when needed. Overall, jets favor speed and longer nonstop legs; turboprops favor short-field access and operating economics.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.88 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | CJ4 | Phenom 300E | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 2170 | 2,010 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 6914 | 6914 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,970 | $ 1,758 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 440 | 464 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $11,290,000 | $9,650,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 9 | 9.4 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Galley | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 24005 | 25560 | 13100 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-4A | Canada PW535E1 | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 870 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 3621 | 3360 | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 757 | 757 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 53.4 | 51.2 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 50 | 52.16 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 17.2 | 17.2 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 15.5 | 16.75 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 14.8 | 14.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 7 | 10 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | 0.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 70 | 74 | — |