Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ and Embraer Phenom 300E are light jets aimed at fast, point‑to‑point business travel. Both typically seat about 6–9 passengers depending on configuration, with the Phenom 300E generally offering slightly more cabin flexibility and speed, while the CJ3+ is known for efficient operations. In range, both are commonly suited to roughly 1,800–2,100 nautical miles, making them strong for regional and many transcontinental U.S. missions with appropriate payload and reserves. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a single‑engine turboprop rather than a jet, trading cruise speed for excellent short/rough‑field capability and lower operating costs. It is often configured for 6–9 passengers and typically offers around 1,700–1,900 nautical miles of range, with strong real‑world utility into smaller airports. The Pilatus PC-24 is a light jet “utility” aircraft positioned between traditional light jets and the PC‑12 conceptually, combining jet speed with robust runway performance. It commonly carries about 6–10 passengers and offers roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range, depending on payload and reserves.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 3.88 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Pilatus | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | Phenom 300E | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 2,010 | 1803 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | 6914 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 1,758 | $ 793 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 464 | 290 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $9,650,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | — | IFR | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | No | No | — | No |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 9.4 | 5.8 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 25560 | 13100 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-3A | Canada PW535E1 | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | 3360 | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 624 | 757 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 703 | — | — | — |
| Horsepower | — | — | 1200 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 51.2 | 51.2 | 47.25 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 52.16 | 53.33 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.3 | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 17.2 | 16.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 16.75 | 14 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.25 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | 14.8 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | 74 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 40 | 90 |