Beechcraft Kingair 250 vs Daher Tbm 940 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
In category terms, the Beechcraft King Air 260 and the Pilatus PC-12 NGX are utility-oriented turboprops often used for corporate, charter, and special-mission work; the King Air 260 is a twin‑engine aircraft emphasizing redundancy and runway flexibility, while the PC‑12 NGX is a single‑engine aircraft known for rugged-field capability and a large cabin/cargo door. The Daher TBM 940 sits more in the high‑performance, owner‑flown “personal transport” class, optimized for speed and efficient point‑to‑point travel rather than maximum cabin volume. For range, the TBM 940 is typically the longest‑legged of the three (roughly around 1,700 nautical miles, depending on reserves and payload), with the PC‑12 NGX generally close behind (often around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles depending on configuration), and the King Air 260 commonly somewhat shorter in typical cruise planning (often around 1,300–1,700 nautical miles depending on payload, reserves, and conditions). For passenger capacity, the PC‑12 NGX and King Air 260 generally seat more (commonly 6–9 passengers depending on layout), while the TBM 940 usually carries fewer in comfort (often 4–6 passengers, up to about 6–7 with tighter seating).
| Spec | Daher TBM 940 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 940 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.46 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Galley Location | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Refreshment Centre | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-66D | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 291 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.3 | 14 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 30 | 40 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.25 |