Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are single‑engine/twin‑engine turboprops (PC‑12 single, King Air twin), while the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet. In category terms, the XLS+ delivers the highest cruise speeds and typical jet comfort at altitude, whereas the turboprops trade speed for shorter-field capability, lower operating costs in many missions, and better access to smaller airports. For range, the King Air 360ER is optimized for longer turboprop legs and is generally comparable to, and often slightly ahead of, the PC‑12 NGX depending on payload and reserves, while the Citation XLS+ typically offers similar or somewhat longer range than the turboprops on paper, but its real-world advantage varies with winds, routing, and passenger load. For passenger capacity, the PC‑12 NGX is commonly configured for about 6 to 9 passengers, the King Air 360ER typically seats around 7 to 9 in executive layouts, and the Citation XLS+ is usually arranged for about 8 to 9 passengers in a stand-up cabin class typical of light jets.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.37 | $ 5.34 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350ER | XLS+ | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2338 | 1906 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.55 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6585 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,324 | $ 2,303 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 303 | 430 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $8,750,000 | $15,500,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Yes (Belted Optional) | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Optional | — | Yes |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 9.3 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Refreshment Center | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 13100 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | PW545C | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | — | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 775 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 52.5 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 56.3 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.5 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 5.7 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 18.5 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 17.2 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 10 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 80 | — |