Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Skycourier vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M600 Sls
By category, the Beechcraft Denali, Pilatus PC-12 NGX, and Piper M600 SLS are single‑engine turboprop business/utility aircraft, with the Denali and PC‑12 aimed at the higher end of the personal and corporate market, while the M600 SLS is a smaller, owner-flown premium model. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX and Cessna SkyCourier are utility turboprops optimized for rugged regional, cargo, and short-field work, with the SkyCourier positioned more as a modern, higher‑capacity feeder and freighter platform. For range, the PC‑12 NGX and Denali generally sit at the top of this group, typically offering longer cross-country capability than the Caravan and SkyCourier. The M600 SLS also offers strong range for its size, often competitive with or better than the utility-focused Caravan class depending on configuration. The Grand Caravan EX and SkyCourier usually trade range for payload and mission flexibility, especially in cargo and high-cycle operations. For passenger capacity, the M600 SLS is typically about 5–6 passengers, the Denali and PC‑12 commonly seat around 6–9, the Grand Caravan EX around 9, and the SkyCourier is typically up to about 19 in commuter seating.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Cessna SkyCourier | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.15 | — | $ 2.78 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | GE® Aerospace | Cessna | Cessna | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir Denali | Grand Caravan EX | SkyCourier | PC-12 NGX | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 964 | 900 | 1803 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.39 | — | $ 0.46 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 19 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3332 | — | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 19 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 614 | — | $ 793 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 195 | 200 | 290 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $2,695,000 | $7,375,000 | $5,350,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No | No | Optional | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 19 | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | — | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5 | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 19 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 11065 | — | — | 13100 | 12600 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||||
| Model | Catalyst™ | PT6A-140 | PT6A-65SC | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 4000 | 6000 | 5000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | — | 867 | 1100 | 1200 | 600 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 24 | — | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 335 | — | — | 260 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 41.6 | 54.9 | 47.25 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 54.3 | 52.1 | 72 | 53.33 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 | — | 5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 | — | 4.9 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 16.8 | — | 16.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 4.65 | 15.1 | 19.8 | 14 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | — | 4.25 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | 32 | — | 40 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | 165 |