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Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Md Helicopters Md 500e vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx

The Beechcraft King Air 260 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are pressurized, twin‑engine (King Air) and single‑engine (PC‑12) turboprop business/utility aircraft suited to fast regional travel. Both typically offer roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical miles of range depending on payload and reserves, and commonly carry about 6–9 passengers in executive layouts (with higher maximum seating in commuter configurations). The PC‑12 NGX generally emphasizes single‑engine efficiency and a large cabin/cargo door, while the King Air 260 emphasizes twin‑engine redundancy and strong runway performance. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a rugged, unpressurized single‑engine turboprop optimized for short, unimproved strips and utility work; its range is generally shorter, around 900–1,200 nautical miles, but it can carry more people in high‑density seating, often up to about 9–14 passengers depending on configuration and regulations. The MD Helicopters MD 500E is a light turbine helicopter focused on short‑range missions; range is typically only a few hundred nautical miles, and passenger capacity is usually about 4–5 plus a pilot, trading speed and endurance for vertical access and confined‑area operations.

SpecBeechcraft King Air 260Cessna Grand Caravan EXMD Helicopters MD 500EPilatus PC-12 NGX
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 4.30$ 3.15$ 2.95$ 2.78
Min Crew1111
Total Seats81048
Flight RulesIFRVFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerBeechcraftCessnaMD HelicotpersPilatus
Aircraft NameKingAir 250Grand Caravan EXMD 500EPC-12 NGX
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)14209642581803
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.72$ 0.39$ 0.74$ 0.46
Max Cabin Seats81239
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)376033321483
Standard Cabin Seats6826
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,333$ 614$ 398$ 793
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionGarmin G1000 NXiGyro / AnalogHoneywell Primus Apex
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)310195135290
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,450,000$2,695,000$ 2,750,000$5,350,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Lavatory1 FlushingNoOptional
Min Crew1111
Total Seats81048
Max Cabin Seats81239
Lavatory LocationAFTFWD
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.5Un-Pressurized5.8
Galley / RefreshmentNoNoNo
Standard Cabin Seats6826
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)1529313100
Cargo DoorYesYes
Engine
FADECYesYesNoYes
ModelPT6A-52PT6A-140250-C20BPT6E-67XP
TBO (hrs)3600400035005000
Horsepower8508674201200
Flat RatingISA + 37ISA + 24ISA + 35
No. of Engines1111
Fuel Capacity (gal)54433564
Fuel TypeJetFuel
Fuel Burn (gph)35
Usable Fuel (gal)402
Dimensions
Length (ft)43.841.630.947.25
Wingspan (ft)57.952.153.33
Cabin Width (ft)4.55.45
Cabin Height (ft)4.84.54.9
Cabin Length (ft)16.716.816.9
Overall Height (ft)14.815.18.714
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.14.25
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)16.7
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)553240
Rotor Diameter (ft)26.4