Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Caravan vs Daher Tbm 960
The Beechcraft King Air Denali, Cessna Caravan, and Daher TBM 960 all sit in the single‑engine turboprop world but serve different missions. The Denali is positioned as a modern high‑end utility/business turboprop, aiming to bridge the gap between rugged workhorse aircraft and premium personal transport. Its typical range is expected to be in the roughly 1,500–1,600 nautical mile class, and it is generally configured for about 6 to 9 passengers depending on layout. The Cessna Caravan is best described as a utilitarian hauler for regional, cargo, and remote operations. It typically offers shorter range than the other two—often around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on variant and payload—and commonly carries about 9 to 14 occupants, with the higher numbers tied to commuter or utility seating and strong payload focus. The TBM 960 is a fast, premium personal/business turboprop optimized for speed and owner‑flown efficiency. It typically reaches around 1,400–1,700 nautical miles (mission dependent) and usually seats about 4 to 6 passengers plus a pilot, prioritizing comfort and cruise performance over maximum cabin capacity.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Caravan | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.07 | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | GE® Aerospace | Cessna | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir Denali | Caravan | TBM 960 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 1070 | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3305 | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 571 | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 186 | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $2,355,000 | $4,450,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Turbo Prop |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5 | Un-Pressurized | 6.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 11065 | — | 14390 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | MID |
| Engine | |||
| Model | Catalyst™ | PT6A-114A | TBM 960 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | — |
| FADEC | — | Yes | Yes |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 3600 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | — | 675 | 850 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 49 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 37.6 | 35.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 54.3 | 52.1 | 42.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 | 4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.8 | 13.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 4.65 | 15 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | 32 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 123 |