Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop fixed‑wing aircraft optimized for regional business and utility travel. It typically offers the longest practical range of the three, commonly around 1,700–2,000 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves, and it generally carries about 6 to 9 passengers in executive layouts (with higher-density configurations possible). The Leonardo AW109 GrandNew is a light twin‑engine helicopter aimed at fast point‑to‑point access where runways are unavailable. Its range is usually in the roughly 450–500 nautical mile class, and it commonly accommodates about 6 to 7 passengers plus crew in VIP or corporate configurations. The Leonardo AW109 Trekker is also a light twin helicopter, positioned for utility and mixed missions with a more rugged, versatile fit. Its range is broadly similar to the GrandNew (often around 400–500 nautical miles), while typical passenger capacity is also in the 6 to 7 passenger range, with interiors varying by mission.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 464 | 450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 156 | 152 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | — | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PW207C | PW207C |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 735 | 735 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 152 | 152 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 35.5 | 35.5 |