Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Daher Tbm 940 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Beechcraft King Air 260, Daher TBM 940, and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are single‑pilot-capable turboprops, while the Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet, generally faster and positioned a category up. In typical use, the King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop suited to short-to-medium regional legs, offering roughly 1,700–1,900 nm range and usually seating about 6–9 passengers depending on layout. The TBM 940 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop optimized for speed and efficiency with about 1,500–1,700 nm range and commonly 4–6 passengers in comfort (up to around 6–7 with tighter seating). The PC‑12 NGX is a versatile single‑engine turboprop with strong payload/cabin utility, about 1,700–1,900 nm range, and typically 6–9 passengers. The PC‑24, as a light jet, typically offers about 2,000 nm range and seats roughly 6–10 passengers, with higher cruise speed and jet mission flexibility.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Daher TBM 940 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.25 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Daher TBM | Pilatus | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | TBM 940 | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1730 | 1803 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 2908 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 744 | $ 793 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 330 | 290 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,450,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Centre | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 14390 | 13100 | 23500 |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — | FWD |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-66D | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 850 | 1200 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 49 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 291 | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 35.3 | 47.25 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 42.1 | 53.33 | 55.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 13.4 | 16.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.3 | 14 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | 4.25 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 30 | 40 | 90 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | — | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | Flat Floor |