Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx vs Piper M500 vs Piper M600 Sls vs Piper Seminole vs Piper Seneca
The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a high-performance single‑engine turboprop in the utility/business category, typically offering about 1,700–1,800 nm of range and seating commonly 6–9 passengers depending on interior. The Piper M500 is a single‑engine turboprop positioned as a personal/business aircraft, with roughly 1,000–1,200 nm range and usually 5–6 seats. The Piper M600 SLS is a higher‑power, more capable single‑engine turboprop for personal/business use, generally around 1,400–1,500 nm range and typically 5–6 seats. The Piper Arrow is a single‑engine piston (complex) aircraft aimed at personal travel and training, commonly around 700–900 nm range with 4 seats. The Piper Seneca is a light twin‑engine piston aircraft used for personal, business, and training, typically around 800–1,000 nm range with 5–6 seats. Overall, the PC‑12 NGX leads in payload flexibility and cabin size, the M600 balances speed and modern avionics with moderate seating, and the Arrow and Seneca suit shorter-range piston missions, with the Seneca adding twin‑engine capability.
| Spec | Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Piper M500 | Piper M600 SLS | Piper Arrow | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.78 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.19 | $ 1.36 | $ 1.69 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Pilatus | Piper | Piper | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | PC-12 NGX | M500 | M600 | Arrow | Seneca |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1803 | 1000 | 1406 | 700 | 828 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.46 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.23 | $ 0.28 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 793 | $ 579 | $ 603 | $ 221 | $ 337 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Honeywell Primus Apex | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 290 | 260 | 274 | 162 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $5,350,000 | $2,122,600 | $3,081,400 | $765,000 | $1,095,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 1698 | 2200 | 1191 | 1331 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Optional | No | No | — | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Total Seats | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| Lavatory Location | FWD | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5.8 | 5.5 | 5.6 | — | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Refreshment Centre | Refreshment Centre | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 13100 | 12600 | 12600 | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | MID | MID | — | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8244 | 8644 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Model | PT6E-67XP | PT6A-42A | PT6A-42A | O-360-AIH6 | TSIO-360-RB |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 | 3600 | 2000 | 1800 |
| Horsepower | 1200 | 500 | 600 | 180 | 220 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 35 | ISA + 55 | ISA + 55 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 402 | — | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 170 | 260 | 108 | 122 |
| Fuel Type | — | — | — | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | — | — | Carbureted | Fuel Injected |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 47.25 | 29.6 | 29.7 | 27.6 | 28.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53.33 | 43.2 | 43.2 | 38.6 | 39 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | 4.1 | 4.1 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.9 | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.9 | 12.3 | 12.3 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 8.5 | 10 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.25 | — | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 40 | 20 | 20 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 | 165 | — | — |