AIR.ONE

Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Daher Tbm 960 vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500

The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop positioned as a small corporate/utility aircraft with strong payload flexibility. It typically offers the most seating volume of this group, commonly configured for about 6 to 9 passengers, with range generally around the mid‑1,000‑nautical‑mile class depending on payload and reserves. The Daher TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine turboprop optimized for speed and efficient owner‑pilot travel; it usually carries about 4 to 6 passengers in comfort (up to around 6 seats total) and tends to deliver the longest range here, often approaching roughly 1,500 to 1,700 nautical miles. The Piper M350 is a pressurized single‑engine piston aircraft aimed at personal and business use, typically seating 5 to 6, with range commonly around about 1,000 to 1,300 nautical miles. The Piper M500 is a single‑engine turboprop that bridges the M350 and TBM 960 in capability; it generally seats about 5 to 6 and offers range typically around the low‑to‑mid 1,000‑nautical‑mile range, usually less than the TBM 960 but competitive with the King Air’s typical mission distances.

SpecBeechcraft King Air 260Daher TBM 960Piper M350Piper M500
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 4.30$ 2.25$ 1.34$ 3.11
Min Crew11—1
Total Seats8666
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerBeechcraftDaher TBMPiperPiper
Aircraft NameKingAir 250TBM 960M350M500
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)1420173013431000
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.72$ 0.56$ 0.22$ 0.78
Max Cabin Seats8———
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)3760290813081698
Standard Cabin Seats6444
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,333$ 744$ 285$ 579
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionGarmin G3000Garmin G1000 NXiGarmin G1000 NXi
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)310330213260
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,450,000$4,450,000$1,195,000$2,122,600
Aircraft Type—Turbo Prop——
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Lavatory1 FlushingNo—No
Min Crew11—1
Total Seats8665
Max Cabin Seats8———
Lavatory LocationAFT———
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.56.25.65.5
Galley / RefreshmentNo——Refreshment Centre
Standard Cabin Seats6444
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)1529314390—12600
Galley Location—MID—MID
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)———8244
Engine
FADECYesYesNoNo
ModelPT6A-52TBM 960TIO-540-AE2APT6A-42A
TBO (hrs)3600350020003600
Horsepower850850350500
Flat RatingISA + 37ISA + 49—ISA + 55
No. of Engines1—11
Fuel Capacity (gal)544—120170
Fuel Type——AvGas—
TBO (yrs)——12—
Fuel Delivery——Fuel Injected—
Dimensions
Length (ft)43.835.32929.6
Wingspan (ft)57.942.14343.2
Cabin Width (ft)4.544.14.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.84.144
Cabin Length (ft)16.713.412.312.3
Overall Height (ft)14.8—11.411.3
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.1———
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)16.7———
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)55—2020
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)—123165165
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)——13—