Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Embraer Legacy 450 vs Embraer Praetor 500 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Embraer Praetor 500 sit at the top of this group as true super-midsize jets, combining long range with strong cabin comfort. The Challenger 3500 typically offers about 3,400 nautical miles of range and is commonly configured for around 8 to 10 passengers. The Praetor 500 is similar in capacity, usually 8 to 10 passengers, with roughly 3,300 nautical miles of range. The Embraer Legacy 450 is a midsize jet, generally carrying about 7 to 9 passengers and offering a shorter range than the two aircraft above, around 2,900 nautical miles, making it well suited for regional-to-medium transcontinental missions. The Pilatus PC-24 is a light jet with a uniquely versatile mission profile, especially for operations into shorter or more rugged runways. It typically seats about 6 to 10 passengers depending on configuration, but its range is generally lower than the midsize and super-midsize jets, around 2,000 nautical miles.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Embraer Legacy 450 | Embraer Praetor 500 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 6.04 | $ 6.02 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Embraer | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Legacy 450 | Praetor 500 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 2973 | 3340 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 12908 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 2,790 | $ 2,779 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 481 | 466 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $16,995,000 | $16,995,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 27110 | 27110 | 23500 |
| Connectivity | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6000 | 5800 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | HTF7500E | HTF7500E | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 6540 | 6540 | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 1404 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 1932 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 64.6 | 64.6 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 66.5 | 70.5 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 20.6 | 20.6 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 21.1 | 21.1 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 17.4 | 17.4 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 40 | 40 | 90 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 110 | 110 | — |