Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Md Helicopters Md 600n vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are pressurized fixed‑wing turboprops suited to regional point‑to‑point travel, while the MD Helicopters MD 600N and MD 902 Explorer are light twin‑engine-category helicopters optimized for vertical access, short repositioning, and landing sites unavailable to airplanes. In range terms, the PC‑12 NGX is typically the longest‑leg option, commonly around 1,700–1,800 nm depending on payload and reserves, with the King Air 260 generally shorter, roughly around 1,000–1,500 nm class depending on configuration. The MD 600N and MD 902 have substantially shorter ranges, typically a few hundred nautical miles (often roughly 300–400 nm), reflecting helicopter fuel fractions and mission profiles. For passenger capacity, the PC‑12 NGX commonly seats about 6–9 passengers in executive layouts, with the King Air 260 typically in a similar 6–9 passenger range. The MD 600N generally carries about 5–6 passengers plus pilot, while the MD 902 Explorer is often configured for about 6–7 passengers plus pilot, varying by interior and mission equipment.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | MD Helicopters MD 600N | MD Helicopters MD 902 Exlplorer | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.06 | $ 7.54 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | MD Helicotpers | MD Helicotpers | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | MD 600N | MD 902 Exlplorer | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 341 | 317 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.94 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 2000 | 3125 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 545 | $ 988 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gyro / Analog | Garmin G500H | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 134 | 131 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $3,400,000 | $7,250,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | — | — | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | — | — | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — | — | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | 250-C47 | PW207E | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 2000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 715 | 710 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | — | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 118 | 159 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 41 | 65 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 36.9 | 40.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | — | — | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | — | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | — | — | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 9.7 | 12 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | — | 40 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 27.5 | 33.9 | — |