Beechcraft King Air 200 vs Pilatus PC-12

The Beechcraft King Air 200 and Pilatus PC-12 are the most cross-shopped cabin-class turboprops, pitting a twin against a single. The twin-engine King Air 200 offers redundancy and proven performance, while the single-engine PC-12 delivers a larger cabin, a rear cargo door, and excellent efficiency. Operators weigh two-engine reliability against single-engine economy and cabin flexibility.

Full Specs Comparison

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Spec / Model Beechcraft King Air 200 Pilatus PC-12
Beechcraft King Air 200
View 107 listings →
Median $1,322,500
Pilatus PC-12
View 26 listings →
Median $4,200,000
Price Range $95,000 – $3,995,000 $3,300,000 – $7,450,000
Category Multi Engine Turboprop Single Engine Turboprop
Model Specifications
Seats 9 10
Cruise Speed 272 kts (504 km/h) 260 kts (482 km/h)
Range 1,580 nm (2,926 km) 1,803 nm (3,339 km)
Service Ceiling 35,000 ft (10,668 m) 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Max Gross Weight 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) 10,450 lbs (4,740 kg)
Useful Load 4,045 lbs (1,835 kg) 3,610 lbs (1,637 kg)
Fuel Capacity 544.0 gal (2059 L) 402.0 gal (1522 L)
Fuel Burn 80.0 GPH (303 L/h) 60.0 GPH (227 L/h)
TBO 3,600 hrs 3,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost $380,000 $500,000
Annual Fixed $180,000 $180,000
Hourly Variable $950 $900
Engines 2 x Turboprop 1 x Turboprop

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Beechcraft King Air 200

Fuel$440/hr
Variable$950/hr
Annual Fixed$180,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $370,000/yr

Pilatus PC-12

Fuel$330/hr
Variable$900/hr
Annual Fixed$180,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $360,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft King Air 200 or Pilatus PC-12?

Bottom line: Choose the King Air 200 for twin-engine redundancy, proven reliability, and strong charter acceptance. Pick the PC-12 for a larger, more flexible cabin with a cargo door, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and excellent single-engine efficiency; mission profile and the single-versus-twin philosophy usually decide it.

Pick the King Air 200 if…

  • Budget matters — from $95,000 vs $3,300,000, you save ~$3,205,000.
  • Faster cruise — 272 kts vs 260 kts.
  • More inventory — 107 listings vs 26.

Pick the PC-12 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$900/hr vs $950/hr.
  • More seats — 10 vs 9.
  • Longer range — 1803 nm vs 1580 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1994 vs 1974.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Beechcraft King Air 200 or Pilatus PC-12?
It depends on your mission and budget. The King Air 200 cruises at 272 kts with 1,580 nm range. The PC-12 cruises at 260 kts with 1,803 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Pilatus PC-12: from $7,450,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft King Air 200 and Pilatus PC-12?
PC-12 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B. Seats: 9 vs 10. Cruise: 272 vs 260 kts. Range: 1580 vs 1803 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
King Air 200: about $950/hr variable cost. PC-12: about $900/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
King Air 200: 9 seats / 4,045 lb useful load. PC-12: 10 seats / 3,610 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
King Air 200: 3,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$380,000. PC-12: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$500,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data