Cessna Citation Xls vs Piaggio Avanti Evo vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Robinson R66
The Cessna Citation XLS+ and Pilatus PC-24 are light jets, while the Piaggio Avanti EVO is a high-speed twin‑turboprop, and the Robinson R66 is a single‑engine turbine helicopter. In typical operations, the Citation XLS+ offers about 2,100 nautical miles of range and commonly seats 7 to 9 passengers, making it well suited to longer city‑pair jet missions. The PC-24 is often described as a “super versatile” light jet, with roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range and usually 6 to 10 seats depending on configuration, and it is notable for operating from shorter or less‑prepared runways than many jets. The Avanti EVO generally provides around 1,700 to 1,800 nautical miles of range with about 7 to 9 seats, delivering turboprop efficiency with jet‑like cruise speeds for many regional trips. The Robinson R66 has far shorter range, roughly 300 nautical miles, and typically carries 4 passengers plus a pilot (about 5 seats total), trading speed and distance for point‑to‑point vertical access.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Piaggio Avanti EVO | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | — | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Piaggio | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | Avanti EVO | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 1530 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | — | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 7 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 3775 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | — | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 400 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | No | — | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 7 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 9 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 24000 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | PT6A–66B | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 28 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 47.3 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | 47.1 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | 6.1 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | 14.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 13.1 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 35.2 | 90 |