Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Skycourier vs Embraer Praetor 600 vs Gulfstream G280 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 360 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are pressurized turboprops suited to short and medium trips, typically carrying about 6–9 passengers; the PC-12 generally offers slightly more range (around 1,700–1,800 nm), while the King Air 360 is closer to roughly 1,500–1,700 nm depending on payload and conditions. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a utility turboprop for short-haul missions, commonly 9–14 passengers with range around 900–1,200 nm. The Cessna SkyCourier is a larger utility turboprop optimized for cargo/commuter work, typically up to about 19 passengers with roughly 900–1,200 nm range. The Gulfstream G280 and Embraer Praetor 600 are super-midsize jets, typically seating about 8–12, with long legs around 3,600–4,000+ nm. The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is also super-midsize, usually 8–10 passengers, with about 3,200–3,400 nm range. The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a large-cabin jet, typically 10–12 passengers, offering more cabin volume and about 4,000 nm range. Ranges and seating vary with layout, reserves, and mission profile.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Cessna SkyCourier | Embraer Praetor 600 | Gulfstream G280 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.20 | $ 6.71 | $ 7.16 | $ 3.15 | — | $ 6.74 | $ 6.57 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — | VFR | IFR | — | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Bombardier | Bombardier | Cessna | Cessna | Embraer | Gulfstream | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350i | Challenger 3500 | Challenger 650 | Grand Caravan EX | SkyCourier | Praetor 600 | G280 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1560 | 3400 | 4085 | 964 | 900 | 4018 | 3600 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.53 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.39 | — | $ 0.84 | $ 0.82 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5145 | 15950 | 21050 | 3332 | — | — | 15550 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,311 | $ 3,152 | $ 3,365 | $ 614 | — | $ 3,141 | $ 3,168 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 312 | 533 | 470 | 195 | 200 | 542 | 481 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,650,000 | $26,950,000 | $32,400,000 | $2,695,000 | $7,375,000 | $20,995,000 | $24,900,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | No | No | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | — | — | FWD | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD / AFT | — | — | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.8 | 8.8 | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 9.7 | 9.2 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional | Galley | Galley | No | No | Galley | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | Yes | — | — | No | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | No | No | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 23338 | 23000 | — | — | 27140 | 25000 | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| Connectivity | — | — | — | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 5800 | 5800 | — |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | HTF73500 | CF34-3B MTO | PT6A-140 | PT6A-65SC | HTF7500E | HTF7250G | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | On-Condition | On-Condition | 4000 | 6000 | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | — | — | 867 | 1100 | — | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 24 | — | ISA + 18 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 539 | — | — | 335 | — | 1963 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 7323 | 9220 | — | — | 7528 | 7624 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 68.7 | 68.4 | 41.6 | 54.9 | 68.1 | 66.9 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 69 | 64.4 | 52.1 | 72 | 70.5 | 63 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 7.2 | 7.9 | 5.4 | — | 6.8 | 6.9 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 6 | 6 | 4.5 | — | 6 | 6.3 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 25.2 | 25.6 | 16.8 | — | 24.1 | 25.9 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 20 | 20.7 | 15.1 | 19.8 | 21 | 21.4 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 5.1 | 6.9 | — | — | 4.7 | 5.4 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | 16.6 | 15.4 | — | — | 21.3 | 17.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 106 | 112 | 32 | — | 45 | 154 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | — | — | Flat Floor | 0.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 110 | — | — |