Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Caravan vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Beechcraft King Air Denali, Cessna Caravan, and Pilatus PC-12 NGX all sit in the single‑engine turboprop utility segment, but they emphasize different missions. The Denali and PC‑12 NGX are best viewed as high‑performance, pressurized executive/corporate turboprops designed to cruise fast and comfortably at altitude, while the Caravan is the classic rugged utility “truck” optimized for short, unimproved strips, high payload flexibility, and straightforward operations. On range, the PC‑12 NGX generally leads among the three in typical real‑world business configurations, with the Denali expected to be competitive in the same long‑range class as a newer‑generation design; the Caravan usually offers shorter range, though still substantial for regional work, and it trades outright distance and speed for versatility and simplicity. For passenger capacity, the Caravan commonly carries the most in commuter layouts (often up to around 9–14 depending on configuration and rules), whereas the PC‑12 NGX and Denali typically seat fewer in executive arrangements (commonly 6–9), prioritizing cabin comfort and baggage over maximum headcount.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Caravan | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.07 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | GE® Aerospace | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir Denali | Caravan | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 1070 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3305 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 571 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 186 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $2,355,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5 | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 11065 | — | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| Model | Catalyst™ | PT6A-114A | PT6E-67XP |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes | Yes |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | — | 675 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 37.6 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 54.3 | 52.1 | 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 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | 32 | 40 |