AIR.ONE

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.

SpecBeechcraft King Air 260Cessna Citation CJ4Embraer Phenom 300EPilatus PC-12 NGX
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 4.30$ 4.37$ 3.88$ 2.78
Min Crew1111
Total Seats89108
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBeechcraftCessna CitationEmbraerPilatus
Aircraft NameKingAir 250CJ4Phenom 300EPC-12 NGX
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)142021702,0101803
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.72$ 0.62$ 0.55$ 0.46
Max Cabin Seats88109
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)376069146914
Standard Cabin Seats6766
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,333$ 1,970$ 1,758$ 793
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionRockwell Collins Pro Line 21Prodigy Touch (G3000)Honeywell Primus Apex
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)310440464290
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,450,000$11,290,000$9,650,000$5,350,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Lavatory1 Flushing1 Enclosed Belted Flushing1 Enclosed FlushingOptional
Min Crew1111
Total Seats8998
Max Cabin Seats8899
Lavatory LocationAFTAFTAFTFWD
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.599.45.8
Galley / RefreshmentNoGalleyGalleyNo
Standard Cabin Seats6776
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)15293240052556013100
Crew RestNoNo
Jump SeatNoNo
Galley LocationFWDFWD
Cargo DoorYes
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelPT6A-52FJ44-4ACanada PW535E1PT6E-67XP
TBO (hrs)3600500050005000
Horsepower8501200
Flat RatingISA + 37ISA + 11ISA + 15ISA + 35
No. of Engines1221
Fuel Capacity (gal)544870
Thrust (lbs)36213360
Fuel Burn (lbph)757757
Usable Fuel (gal)402
Dimensions
Length (ft)43.853.451.247.25
Wingspan (ft)57.95052.1653.33
Cabin Width (ft)4.54.85.15
Cabin Height (ft)4.84.84.94.9
Cabin Length (ft)16.717.217.216.9
Overall Height (ft)14.815.516.7514
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.13.13.64.25
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)16.714.814.8
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)5571040
Aisle Step (ft)0.40.3
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)7074