Gulfstream G280 vs Gulfstream G500 vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Gulfstream G280 and G500 are midsize-to-large business jets optimized for longer trips and higher cruise speeds than the Pilatus aircraft. The G280 typically seats about 8–10 passengers in a standard executive layout and offers roughly 3,600 nautical miles of range, making it well suited to transcontinental missions. The Gulfstream G500 is a larger, long-range jet, commonly configured for around 10–14 passengers, with approximately 5,200 nautical miles of range for longer nonstop city pairs. Pilatus models emphasize operational flexibility and access to shorter or less-developed runways. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a single-engine turboprop, often seating about 6–9 passengers in executive configurations (with higher-density options), and typically provides around 1,800 nautical miles of range; it trades speed for lower operating cost and excellent short-field capability. The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet, generally accommodating about 6–10 passengers, with roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range; it sits between the PC-12 and Gulfstreams by combining jet speed with strong short-runway performance.
| Spec | Gulfstream G280 | Gulfstream G500 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.57 | $ 9.00 | $ 2.78 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream | Gulfstream | Pilatus | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | G280 | G500 | PC-12 NGX | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3600 | 5200 | 1803 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.82 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15550 | 30650 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,168 | $ 4,644 | $ 793 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | Honeywell Primus Apex | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 481 | 516 | 290 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $24,900,000 | $47,500,000 | $5,350,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | — | IFR | — |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | No | Yes | — | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | FWD | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.2 | 10.7 | 5.8 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | No | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25000 | 31900 | 13100 | 23500 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | 5800 | — | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF7250G | PW814GA | PT6E-67XP | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 10000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 17 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 35 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7624 | 15144 | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | — | 1200 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | 402 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 66.9 | 91.2 | 47.25 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 63 | 86.3 | 53.33 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.3 | Flat Floor | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 6.9 | 7.6 | 5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.3 | 6.4 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.9 | 41.5 | 16.9 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 21.4 | 25.5 | 14 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.4 | 6.1 | 4.25 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 17.7 | 26.3 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 154 | 230 | 40 | 90 |