Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Piper M350
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and Cessna Grand Caravan EX are both utility-focused turboprops, while the Piper M350 is a pressurized piston single aimed at owner-operators. In category, the King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop known for higher cruise speeds and more typical corporate use; the Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop optimized for rugged, short-field, and cargo-friendly missions; the M350 is a single‑engine, pressurized piston aircraft emphasizing personal travel efficiency rather than utility hauling. For range, the King Air 260 generally offers the longest legs among the two turboprops in typical passenger configurations, the Grand Caravan EX is moderate and varies widely with payload, and the M350 is competitive for personal trips but usually trails the King Air’s longer-distance capability. In passenger capacity, the Grand Caravan EX typically carries the most, often configured around 9 to 14 seats depending on interior and mission; the King Air 260 commonly seats about 6 to 9; and the M350 is usually a 5 to 6 seat cabin, prioritizing comfort over volume.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Piper M350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.15 | $ 1.34 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | Grand Caravan EX | M350 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 964 | 1343 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.22 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3332 | 1308 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 614 | $ 285 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 195 | 213 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $2,695,000 | $1,195,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-140 | TIO-540-AE2A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 4000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 867 | 350 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 24 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 335 | 120 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 41.6 | 29 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 52.1 | 43 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 16.8 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 15.1 | 11.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 32 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 13 |