Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
All four are single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft, but they span distinct capability tiers. The Beechcraft Denali and Pilatus PC‑12 NGX sit in the high‑performance business/utility category, emphasizing speed, comfort, and longer legs; the Denali is positioned as a modern rival to the PC‑12 class, while the PC‑12 NGX is a proven premium platform. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX and Daher Kodiak 100 Series III are more “workhorse” utility/STOL aircraft, optimized for short, rough fields and high payload flexibility rather than maximum range. On range, the PC‑12 NGX and Denali generally offer the longest trip capability (roughly in the 1,000+ nm class depending on reserves and payload), making them better suited to longer regional missions. The Grand Caravan EX and Kodiak Series III typically have shorter ranges (often several hundred to under about 1,000 nm, mission‑dependent), fitting remote, shorter‑sector operations. For passenger capacity, the Grand Caravan EX usually carries the most (commonly up to about 9–14 depending on configuration), while the Kodiak is commonly around 9. The PC‑12 NGX and Denali typically seat fewer in executive layouts (often 6–9), though they can be configured for higher-density commuter use.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.15 | $ 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 | Grand Caravan EX | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 964 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3332 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 614 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 195 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $2,695,000 | $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 | 12 | 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-140 | PT6E-67XP |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes | Yes |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | — | 867 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 24 | ISA + 35 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 335 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 41.6 | 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 | 16.8 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 4.65 | 15.1 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | 32 | 40 |