Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M600 Sls
The Beechcraft King Air 260, Pilatus PC-12 NGX, and Piper M600 SLS all sit in the pressurized turboprop market, but they target different missions. The King Air 260 is best described as a light twin‑turboprop business/utility aircraft, valued for two‑engine redundancy and strong short‑field capability. The PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine utility/business turboprop with a reputation for versatility, large cabin volume for its class, and access to shorter or less‑improved runways. The M600 SLS is a single‑engine personal/business turboprop oriented toward owner‑pilots, emphasizing simplified operation and high technology. In range, the PC‑12 NGX generally leads the group, commonly quoted around the 1,700–1,800 nm class depending on reserves and payload, with the M600 SLS typically in the mid‑1,000 nm range and the King Air 260 usually around the 1,500 nm class. For passenger capacity, the PC‑12 NGX and King Air 260 are often configured for about 6–9 passengers depending on layout, while the M600 SLS is usually arranged for fewer, commonly around 4–6 in typical owner‑flown interiors.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.78 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | PC-12 NGX | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1803 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 793 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 290 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,350,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5.8 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 13100 | 12600 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1200 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | 260 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 47.25 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 53.33 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 16.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.25 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 40 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 165 |