Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Skycourier vs Gulfstream G280 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 360 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX sit in the pressurized, turbine business/utility category, suited to regional corporate travel and mixed passenger/cargo use. The King Air 360 typically offers around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles of range and commonly seats about 6–9 passengers, while the PC-12 NGX is similar in mission with roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical miles and usually 6–9 passengers, often noted for a large cabin and single-engine efficiency. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a rugged, single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short/rough-field operations; it generally carries about 9–14 passengers with a typical range around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on load. The Cessna SkyCourier is a larger, twin‑turboprop utility/freighter aimed at high-cycle regional cargo and commuter roles; passenger versions commonly seat about 19, with range often around 900–1,200 nautical miles. The Gulfstream G280 is a super‑midsize business jet, offering a much longer range—about 3,600 nautical miles—and typically seating around 8–10 passengers, prioritizing speed and long nonstop legs over rough-field utility.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Cessna SkyCourier | Gulfstream G280 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.20 | $ 3.15 | — | $ 6.57 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 21 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna | Gulfstream | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350i | Grand Caravan EX | SkyCourier | G280 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1560 | 964 | 900 | 3600 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.53 | $ 0.39 | — | $ 0.82 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5145 | 3332 | — | 15550 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,311 | $ 614 | — | $ 3,168 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 312 | 195 | 200 | 481 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,650,000 | $2,695,000 | $7,375,000 | $24,900,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Optional | No | No | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 21 | 10 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | — | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 9.2 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional | No | No | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 6 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 25000 | 13100 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 5800 | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | PT6A-140 | PT6A-65SC | HTF7250G | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 4000 | 6000 | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | 867 | 1100 | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 24 | — | ISA + 17 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 539 | 335 | — | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 7624 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 41.6 | 54.9 | 66.9 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 52.1 | 72 | 63 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 | — | 6.9 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 | — | 6.3 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 16.8 | — | 25.9 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 15.1 | 19.8 | 21.4 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — | 5.4 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | — | — | 17.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 32 | — | 154 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | 0.3 | — |