Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and the Cessna Grand Caravan EX are both twin- and single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, respectively, but they serve different mission profiles. The King Air 260 is a pressurized, twin‑engine business and utility turboprop oriented toward faster, higher-altitude travel and more refined passenger comfort for corporate or premium charter use. The Grand Caravan EX is a rugged, single‑engine utility turboprop optimized for short/rough-field operations, cargo flexibility, and high-frequency regional, commuter, or special-mission flying. In range terms, both can cover typical regional legs, but the King Air 260 generally offers longer practical range and higher cruise performance, making it better suited to longer point-to-point trips with fewer fuel stops. The Grand Caravan EX is commonly chosen where infrastructure is limited and stage lengths are moderate. Passenger capacity also differs: the King Air 260 is typically configured for about 7 to 9 passengers in executive layouts, while the Grand Caravan EX is commonly configured for up to about 9 to 14 passengers in commuter seating, with strong cargo and mixed-use flexibility.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.15 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-140 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 867 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 24 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 335 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 41.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 16.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 15.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 32 |