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Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500

The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop business aircraft optimized for short and unimproved runways, typically offering about 1,700–1,900 nm of range and usually seating 6–9 passengers depending on cabin layout. The Cessna Citation M2 is a light twin‑jet aimed at faster point‑to‑point travel, commonly providing roughly 1,200–1,550 nm of range with typical seating for 5–7 passengers. The Piper M350 is a pressurized single‑engine piston aircraft focused on owner‑pilots and efficient regional trips, generally delivering about 1,200–1,400 nm of range and typically seating 5–6 passengers. The Piper M500 is a pressurized single‑engine turboprop positioned between piston singles and larger twin turboprops, usually offering around 1,000–1,200 nm of range with typical seating for 5–6 passengers. In broad terms, the King Air 260 emphasizes payload, cabin flexibility, and runway versatility; the Citation M2 emphasizes speed; the M350 emphasizes lower operating costs; and the M500 emphasizes turboprop performance with simplified single‑engine operations.

SpecBeechcraft King Air 260Cessna Citation M2Piper M350Piper M500
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 4.30$ 3.45$ 1.34$ 3.11
Min Crew111
Total Seats8866
Flight RulesIFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerBeechcraftCessna CitationPiperPiper
Aircraft NameKingAir 250M2M350M500
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)1420140013431000
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.72$ 0.58$ 0.22$ 0.78
Max Cabin Seats87
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)3760381013081698
Standard Cabin Seats6644
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,333$ 1,395$ 285$ 579
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionGarmin G3000Garmin G1000 NXiGarmin G1000 NXi
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)310404213260
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,450,000$5,150,000$1,195,000$2,122,600
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Lavatory1 Flushing1 Enclosed Belted FlushingNo
Min Crew111
Total Seats8865
Max Cabin Seats87
Lavatory LocationAFTAFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.58.55.65.5
Galley / RefreshmentNoNoRefreshment Centre
Standard Cabin Seats6644
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)152932202712600
Crew RestNo
Jump SeatNo
Galley LocationMID
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)8244
Engine
FADECYesYesNoNo
ModelPT6A-52FJ44-1AP-21TIO-540-AE2APT6A-42A
TBO (hrs)3600350020003600
Horsepower850350500
Flat RatingISA + 37ISA + 7ISA + 55
No. of Engines1211
Fuel Capacity (gal)544492120170
Thrust (lbs)1965
Fuel Burn (lbph)516
Fuel TypeAvGas
TBO (yrs)12
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injected
Dimensions
Length (ft)43.842.62929.6
Wingspan (ft)57.947.34343.2
Cabin Width (ft)4.54.84.14.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.84.844
Cabin Length (ft)16.71112.312.3
Overall Height (ft)14.81411.411.3
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.13.1
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)16.78.8
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)552020
Aisle Step (ft)0.4
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)4613
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)165165