Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Skycourier vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
All five are single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft except the SkyCourier, which is twin‑engine and optimized for short-haul cargo and commuter work. In category, the Beechcraft King Air Denali and Pilatus PC‑12 NGX sit at the higher end of the single‑engine market, aimed at executive and premium utility missions with higher cruise speeds, pressurization, and more sophisticated avionics. The Cessna Caravan and Daher Kodiak 100 Series III are more rugged “workhorse” utility/STOL platforms, prioritizing simplicity, unimproved-strip performance, and lower operating cost over speed and cabin refinement. The SkyCourier targets high-cycle regional operations with strong payload, containerized cargo capability, and redundancy from two engines. On range, the PC‑12 NGX and Denali are generally the longest‑legged of the group, suited to longer point‑to‑point trips. Caravan and Kodiak typically offer moderate range appropriate to regional and remote operations, while the SkyCourier is usually configured for shorter sectors typical of feeder routes. For passenger capacity, Caravan and Kodiak commonly seat up to about 9 passengers, the PC‑12 NGX and Denali are typically in the 6–9 passenger class depending on layout, and the SkyCourier generally carries more, commonly around 19 in commuter configuration.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Caravan | Cessna SkyCourier | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.07 | — | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | GE® Aerospace | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir Denali | Caravan | SkyCourier | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 1070 | 900 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.38 | — | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 19 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3305 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 571 | — | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 186 | 200 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $2,355,000 | $7,375,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 19 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5 | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 11065 | — | — | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| Model | Catalyst™ | PT6A-114A | PT6A-65SC | PT6E-67XP |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 3600 | 6000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | — | 675 | 1100 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 | — | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 37.6 | 54.9 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 54.3 | 52.1 | 72 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.8 | — | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 4.65 | 15 | 19.8 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | 32 | — | 40 |