Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M500 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a pressurized twin‑turboprop positioned as a higher‑capacity, short‑to‑mid range business and utility aircraft, typically seating about 6–9 passengers depending on layout. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑speed single‑engine turboprop optimized for personal and owner‑pilot travel, usually carrying 4–6 passengers with a comparatively long range for its size. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a larger, rugged single‑engine turboprop in the utility/business category, commonly configured for 6–9 passengers and known for strong real‑world range and payload flexibility. Piper’s M500 and M600 SLS are smaller single‑engine turboprops aimed at owner‑pilots; the M500 generally carries about 4–5 passengers with moderate range, while the M600 SLS adds more power, cabin comfort, and slightly better range, typically accommodating about 5–6 passengers. Overall, the King Air 260 and PC‑12 NGX lead on cabin and passenger flexibility, the TBM 960 emphasizes speed and long‑leg efficiency, and the M500/M600 SLS sit in the lighter, personal‑travel tier with shorter typical missions.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Daher TBM 960 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M500 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.25 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Daher TBM | Pilatus | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | TBM 960 | PC-12 NGX | M500 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1730 | 1803 | 1000 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — | 9 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 2908 | — | 1698 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 744 | $ 793 | $ 579 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 330 | 290 | 260 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,450,000 | $5,350,000 | $2,122,600 | $3,081,400 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop | — | — | — |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | Optional | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — | 9 | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | FWD | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — | No | Refreshment Centre | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 14390 | 13100 | 12600 | 12600 |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — | MID | MID |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | — | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8244 | 8644 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | TBM 960 | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 5000 | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 850 | 1200 | 500 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 49 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | — | 170 | 260 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 35.3 | 47.25 | 29.6 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 42.1 | 53.33 | 43.2 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 13.4 | 16.9 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | — | 14 | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | 4.25 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | 40 | 20 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 | — | 165 | 165 |