Cessna Skycourier vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Cessna SkyCourier and Pilatus PC-12 NGX sit in different parts of the turboprop market. The SkyCourier is primarily a utility/feeder-liner aircraft designed around short-haul cargo and regional passenger missions, with a fixed-gear, rugged airframe optimized for frequent cycles and simple operations. The PC-12 NGX is a single‑engine executive and special-mission turboprop aimed at faster, longer-range point-to-point travel with a more refined cabin and higher cruise efficiency. On range, the PC-12 NGX generally offers substantially longer legs, commonly around 1,500–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves, making it better for cross-country trips without stops. The SkyCourier is typically used on shorter regional sectors; depending on configuration and load, its range is commonly in the several-hundred to roughly 1,000 nautical mile class, prioritizing payload and reliability over long reach. For passenger capacity, the SkyCourier is built to carry more people in airline-style seating, up to about 19 passengers, while the PC-12 NGX typically seats fewer—often 6–9 in executive layouts, with higher-density configurations possible but less common.
| Spec | Cessna SkyCourier | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | SkyCourier | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 900 | 1803 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 200 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,375,000 | $5,350,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 2.78 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.46 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 793 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | Optional |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Cargo Door | Yes | Yes |
| Total Seats | 21 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 9 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | Un-Pressurized | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 13100 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-65SC | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 6000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1100 | 1200 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 35 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 54.9 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 72 | 53.33 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 19.8 | 14 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 16.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 4.25 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 40 |