Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop in the light business/utility category, typically configured for about 6–9 passengers and offering roughly 1,700–1,900 nm of range depending on payload and conditions. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop in the “large single” class, commonly seating 6–9, with a broadly similar or slightly longer typical range around 1,800–2,000 nm, and it emphasizes cabin volume and short/rough‑field versatility. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet, generally carrying about 6–10 passengers, with higher cruise speeds and a typical range around 2,000 nm; it also stands out for jet performance combined with the ability to use shorter runways than many light jets. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop positioned below the PC‑12 in size, usually seating about 4–6 passengers, with range commonly around 1,400–1,600 nm, prioritizing owner‑pilot simplicity and operating economy over maximum cabin and payload.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Pilatus | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1803 | 2076 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 10 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | — | 6680 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 793 | $ 1,619 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 290 | 440 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 10 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5.8 | 9.3 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | Optional Refreshment Center | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 13100 | 23500 | 12600 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes | — |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1200 | — | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | — | 260 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 3435 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 47.25 | 52.2 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 53.33 | 55.8 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5 | 5.6 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 16.9 | 23 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 | 17.4 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.25 | 3.8 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | 17 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 40 | 90 | 20 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 165 |