Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M600 Sls
The Cessna Citation M2 is an entry-level light jet aimed at short-to-mid missions, typically seating about 4–6 passengers with a practical range around 1,300 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation CJ3+ sits a class above as a light jet with more cabin and payload flexibility, commonly configured for about 6–9 passengers and offering roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range. The Cessna Citation CJ4 moves into the “light/near-midsize” space, generally accommodating about 8–10 passengers and stretching range to about 2,100–2,200 nautical miles, making it the longest-legged of the three Citations listed. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a single-engine turboprop rather than a jet, valued for short/rough-field capability and cabin utility; it typically carries about 6–9 passengers with range around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles. The Piper M600 SLS is also a single-engine turboprop, smaller and more owner-flown oriented, usually seating about 4–6 passengers with range around 1,400–1,500 nautical miles.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Cessna Citation M2 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.45 | $ 2.78 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | CJ4 | M2 | PC-12 NGX | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 2170 | 1400 | 1803 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | 6914 | 3810 | — | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 1,970 | $ 1,395 | $ 793 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G3000 | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 440 | 404 | 290 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $11,290,000 | $5,150,000 | $5,350,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Flight Rules | — | — | — | IFR | IFR |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | Optional | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | — | — |
| Jump Seat | No | No | No | — | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | — | — | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 9 | 8.5 | 5.8 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | No | No | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 24005 | 22027 | 13100 | 12600 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | 8644 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model | FJ44-3A | FJ44-4A | FJ44-1AP-21 | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 3500 | 5000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 7 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | 3621 | 1965 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 624 | 757 | 516 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 703 | 870 | 492 | — | 260 |
| Horsepower | — | — | — | 1200 | 600 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 51.2 | 53.4 | 42.6 | 47.25 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 50 | 47.3 | 53.33 | 43.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 17.2 | 11 | 16.9 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 15.5 | 14 | 14 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 4.25 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | 14.8 | 8.8 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | 70 | 46 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 7 | — | 40 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | — | 165 |