Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500
The Beechcraft Denali and Pilatus PC-12 NGX are single‑engine turboprops aimed at efficient business travel with strong short/rough-field versatility. Both typically seat about 6 to 9 passengers depending on layout, with the PC‑12 NGX generally offering the most cabin volume and utility. The Denali is positioned as a newer‑generation competitor with similar mission flexibility and a comparable mid‑to‑upper‑thousands nautical mile class range. The Cessna Citation M2 is a light twin‑engine jet focused on speed and higher-altitude capability rather than maximum cabin size. It is usually configured for about 4 to 7 passengers and tends to have shorter range than the PC‑12 NGX or Denali, but with faster trip times on many routes. The Piper M500 and Piper M350 are pressurized single‑engine piston aircraft, a step below the turboprops in cruise speed and payload but generally lower in operating cost. They commonly seat about 4 to 6 passengers, with ranges typically around the low‑to‑mid‑thousands nautical miles depending on reserves, payload, and conditions.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Citation M2 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M350 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.45 | $ 2.78 | $ 1.34 | $ 3.11 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | GE® Aerospace | Cessna Citation | Pilatus | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir Denali | M2 | PC-12 NGX | M350 | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 1400 | 1803 | 1343 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.78 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3810 | — | 1308 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 1,395 | $ 793 | $ 285 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 404 | 290 | 213 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $5,150,000 | $5,350,000 | $1,195,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional | — | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5 | 8.5 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 11065 | 22027 | 13100 | — | 12600 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — | — | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | 8244 |
| Engine | |||||
| Model | Catalyst™ | FJ44-1AP-21 | PT6E-67XP | TIO-540-AE2A | PT6A-42A |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 3500 | 5000 | 2000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 7 | ISA + 35 | — | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 492 | — | 120 | 170 |
| Horsepower | — | — | 1200 | 350 | 500 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 | — | — |
| Fuel Type | — | — | — | AvGas | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 42.6 | 47.25 | 29 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 54.3 | 47.3 | 53.33 | 43 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 11 | 16.9 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 4.65 | 14 | 14 | 11.4 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 | 4.25 | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | 8.8 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | — | 40 | 20 | 20 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 | — | 13 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 165 | 165 |