Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Gulfstream G280 vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Gulfstream G280 sit in the super-midsize category, offering the longest reach and the most cabin comfort of this group. The Challenger 3500 typically carries about 8–10 passengers with roughly 3,400 nm range, while the G280 is similar in capacity (often 8–10) with about 3,600–3,800 nm range, making both strong for longer nonstop city pairs. The Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet, usually configured for about 6–9 passengers, with around 2,000–2,200 nm range, optimized for efficient shorter-to-medium missions. The Pilatus PC-24 is a “super versatile” light jet, commonly 6–8 passengers (high-density up to 10), with about 2,000 nm range, notable for operating from shorter and less-prepared runways. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a single-engine turboprop, typically 6–9 passengers, with about 1,700–1,800 nm range, valued for rugged utility and operating economics. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin-turboprop in the high-speed turboprop class, often 6–8 passengers, with roughly 1,700–1,800 nm range, combining turboprop efficiency with near light-jet cruise speeds.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Gulfstream G280 | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 3.88 | $ 6.57 | — | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Embraer | Gulfstream | Piaggio | Pilatus | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Phenom 300E | G280 | Avanti EVO | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 2,010 | 3600 | 1530 | 1803 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.82 | — | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 6914 | 15550 | 3775 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 1,758 | $ 3,168 | — | $ 793 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 464 | 481 | 400 | 290 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $9,650,000 | $24,900,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | — | — | IFR | IFR | — |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No | — | — | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | — | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | — | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9 | 5.8 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | No | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 25560 | 25000 | 24000 | 13100 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 | 6600 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | Canada PW535E1 | HTF7250G | PT6A–66B | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 5000 | On-Condition | 3600 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 28 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 3360 | 7624 | — | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 757 | — | — | — | — |
| Horsepower | — | — | — | 850 | 1200 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 100 | — | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 51.2 | 66.9 | 47.3 | 47.25 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 52.16 | 63 | 47.1 | 53.33 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.3 | 0.3 | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 17.2 | 25.9 | 14.9 | 16.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 16.75 | 21.4 | 13.1 | 14 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 4.25 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 14.8 | 17.7 | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 10 | 154 | 35.2 | 40 | 90 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | — | — | — | — |