Beechcraft Kingair 250 vs Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are pressurized single-/twin-turboprop aircraft (the King Air is a twin turboprop; the PC-12 is a single turboprop), generally optimized for flexible regional missions, shorter runways, and lower operating costs than jets. The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is a light business jet, aimed at higher cruise speeds and jet-altitude efficiency, typically delivering the quickest trips on similar city pairs. On range, the CJ3+ and PC-12 NGX are broadly comparable in typical real-world planning, with the CJ3+ often quoted around the ~2,000 nautical mile class and the PC-12 NGX around the ~1,800–2,000 nautical mile class depending on payload and conditions. The King Air 260 is usually shorter-legged, commonly in the ~1,500 nautical mile class. For passenger capacity, all three commonly seat about 6 to 9 passengers depending on interior configuration. The PC-12 NGX often offers the most cabin/door utility for bulky cargo and mixed passenger-cargo missions, while the CJ3+ emphasizes a more traditional business-jet cabin experience.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-3A | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 35 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 624 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 703 | — |
| Horsepower | — | 1200 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 51.2 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 53.33 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 40 |