Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Piper M600 Sls vs Piper Seneca
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑engine turboprop positioned as a higher‑end business and utility aircraft. It typically offers the longest practical range of the three (roughly around 1,500–1,700 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves) and carries about 6 to 9 occupants in common executive layouts, with strong climb and high‑altitude capability. The Piper M600 SLS is a single‑engine turboprop aimed at owner‑pilots seeking near‑turboprop performance with simpler operation. Its range is generally in the same broad band as the King Air but often a bit less in real-world mission planning (about 1,200–1,500 nautical miles), and seating is usually up to 6. The Piper Seneca is a light twin‑piston aircraft oriented toward personal, training, and light business use. It usually has the shortest range of the group (often about 700–1,000 nautical miles) and typically seats 5 to 6, trading speed and altitude performance for lower acquisition and operating costs.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Piper M600 SLS | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.19 | $ 1.69 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | M600 | Seneca |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1406 | 828 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.28 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 2200 | 1331 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 603 | $ 337 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 274 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $3,081,400 | $1,095,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5.6 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Centre | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 12600 | — |
| Galley Location | — | MID | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-42A | TSIO-360-RB |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 1800 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 600 | 220 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 55 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 260 | 122 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | AvGas |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 29.7 | 28.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 43.2 | 39 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 12.3 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 11.3 | 10 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 20 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 | — |