Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
By category, the Beechcraft King Air 260 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are pressurized twin‑turboprop and single‑turboprop aircraft, respectively, aimed at short-to-medium business and utility missions with strong short-field and regional-airport flexibility. The Cessna Citation M2 and Embraer Phenom 300E are light business jets, prioritizing higher cruise speeds and smoother high‑altitude travel. On range, the Phenom 300E generally leads this group, offering the longest typical nonstop capability among these four, making it the strongest choice for longer city pairs in the light‑jet class. The PC‑12 NGX is usually next, with notably long range for a turboprop and excellent mission versatility. The King Air 260 and Citation M2 typically fall into a similar, slightly shorter range band, with the M2 trading some range for jet speed and efficiency on shorter trips. For passenger capacity, the PC‑12 NGX commonly carries the most in a standard executive layout, often up to around eight. The King Air 260 is similar, typically seating six to eight. The Phenom 300E generally seats about six to eight. The Citation M2 is usually configured for about four to six.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation M2 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.45 | $ 3.88 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | M2 | Phenom 300E | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1400 | 2,010 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3810 | 6914 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,395 | $ 1,758 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 404 | 464 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,150,000 | $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 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.5 | 9.4 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 22027 | 25560 | 13100 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-1AP-21 | Canada PW535E1 | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 7 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 492 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 | 3360 | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 | 757 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.6 | 51.2 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 47.3 | 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 | 11 | 17.2 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 | 16.75 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 8.8 | 14.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | 10 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | 0.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 | 74 | — |