Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Pilatus PC-12 NGX
The PC-12 NGX flies further: 1,803 nm against 1,720 nm for the King Air 260. The PC-12 NGX has the bigger cabin: 330 cu ft against 303 cu ft for the King Air 260. The King Air 260 is faster at high-speed cruise: 310 kts against 290 kts for the PC-12 NGX.
King Air 260 or PC-12 NGX?
Which flies further, the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX?
The PC-12 NGX flies further: 1,803 nm against 1,720 nm for the King Air 260.
Which has the bigger cabin, the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX?
The PC-12 NGX has the bigger cabin: 330 cu ft against 303 cu ft for the King Air 260.
Which is faster, the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX?
The King Air 260 is faster at high-speed cruise: 310 kts against 290 kts for the PC-12 NGX.
Which is easier to charter in Germany?
1 King Air 260 and 6 PC-12 NGX are on the German LBA charter list today. Both charter at turboprop rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
King Air 260 vs PC-12 NGX specifications
Verified figures, checked October 2026. Fleet counts from the Germany's LBA list of licensed air carriers (15 September 2026).
| Specification | King Air 260 Beechcraft (Textron Aviation) | PC-12 NGX Pilatus |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Range | 1,720 nm (3,185 km) | 1,803 nm (3,339 km) (best) |
| High-speed cruise | 310 kts (best) | 290 kts |
| Maximum altitude | 35,000 ft (best) | 30,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 2,111 ft (best) | 2,485 ft |
| Landing distance | 2,845 ft | 2,170 ft (best) |
| Cabin | ||
| Typical charter seats | Not published | 6 to 8 |
| Maximum seats | 7 | 9 (best) |
| Cabin length | 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m) | 16 ft 11 in (5.16 m) (best) |
| Cabin width | 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) | 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) (best) |
| Cabin height | 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) | 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) (best) |
| Cabin volume | 303 cu ft | 330 cu ft (best) |
| Baggage | 55.3 cu ft | Not published |
| Engines and weights | ||
| Engines | 2 × 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 (850 shp each) | 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP (1,200 shp takeoff, flat rated) |
| Maximum take-off weight | 12,500 lb | 10,450 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 3,645 lb | 2,704 lb |
| Price and ownership | ||
| First delivered | 2021 | 2020 |
| In production | Yes | No |
| New price | $6.7M (2024) | $6.2M (2024) |
| Operating cost per hour | $2,539 | $1,735 |
| Charter fleet | ||
| On Germany charter list | 1 aircraft | 6 aircraft (best) |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Both aircraft at a glance
Beechcraft King Air 260
- Seats
- Up to 7
- Range
- 1,720 nm
- Cabin
- 303 cu ft
- In production
- Yes
- Charter fleet
- 1 in Germany
German operators: Eurolink
King Air 260 specs, interior and price →
Pilatus PC-12 NGX
- Seats
- 6 to 8 (max 9)
- Range
- 1,803 nm
- Cabin
- 330 cu ft
- In production
- No
- Charter fleet
- 6 in Germany
German operators: Star Wings Dortmund, Air Independence, DC Aviation
PC-12 NGX specs, interior and price →Compare with other turboprops
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhich flies further, the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX?+
The PC-12 NGX flies further: 1,803 nm against 1,720 nm for the King Air 260.
Which has the bigger cabin, the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX?+
The PC-12 NGX has the bigger cabin: 330 cu ft against 303 cu ft for the King Air 260.
Which is faster, the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX?+
The King Air 260 is faster at high-speed cruise: 310 kts against 290 kts for the PC-12 NGX.
Which is easier to charter in Germany?+
1 King Air 260 and 6 PC-12 NGX are on the German LBA charter list today. Both charter at turboprop rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Where these numbers come from
- King Air 260, Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)
- King Air 260 product card, Textron Aviation (2025)
- Beechcraft debuts new interior color choices and cabin amenities for King Air 260s, Textron Aviation release via Controller (July 2021)
- Beechcraft King Air 260 specifications and operating cost, GlobalAir.com (2026)
- Beechcraft King Air 260 achieves FAA Type Certification, Textron Aviation (March 2021)
- King Air 260 debuts, AOPA (December 2020)
- EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.277 Beechcraft King Air, Issue 22 (December 2024)
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX Factsheet (PILL219E), Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
- Aircraft Overview: Pilatus PC-12, Aviation Week
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX specifications and operating cost, GlobalAir.com (2026)
- PC-12 technical data and interior configurations, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd (2026)
- Pilatus Delivers First PC-12 NGX Advanced Turboprops to Launch Customers, Aviation News (May 2020)
- EASA type certificate EASA.A.089, PC-12 and variant
Fly the King Air 260 or the PC-12 NGX.
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