Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Piper M500
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop business aircraft known for short‑field capability and strong climb and cruise efficiency, typically suited to regional missions. Its range is generally around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and conditions, and it commonly carries about 6 to 9 passengers in a corporate layout. The Cessna Citation M2 is a light twin‑jet aimed at faster point‑to‑point travel, usually offering a shorter to midrange profile of roughly 1,100–1,300 nautical miles, with typical seating for about 4 to 7 passengers. The Piper M500 is a single‑engine turboprop (pressurized) positioned for owner‑operators prioritizing simplicity and operating cost; its range is commonly about 1,000–1,200 nautical miles, with typical capacity around 4 to 6 passengers. In general, the King Air 260 emphasizes versatility and cabin flexibility, the Citation M2 emphasizes speed and jet experience, and the M500 emphasizes efficient single‑engine turboprop ownership.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation M2 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.45 | $ 3.11 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | M2 | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1400 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.78 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3810 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,395 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 404 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,150,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 22027 | 12600 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8244 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-1AP-21 | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 500 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 7 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 492 | 170 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.6 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 47.3 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 11 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 8.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | 20 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 165 |