Beechcraft King Air 90 vs Pilatus PC-12/45
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Beechcraft King Air 90
- For sale now
- 116
- Median asking
- $1,172,500
- Range
- $413,000–$3,117,025
- Model years available
- 1965–2014
Pilatus PC-12/45
- For sale now
- 24
- Model years available
- 1995–2016
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Beechcraft King Air 90 | Pilatus PC-12/45 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 15 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 8 |
| Fatalities | — | 34 |
| % Fatal | — | 53% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft King Air 90 | Pilatus PC-12/45 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $413,000 – $3,117,025 | $2,486,000 – $3,737,500 |
| Category | Multi Engine Turboprop | Single Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 10 | 12 |
| Horsepower | 550 HP | 1,200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 215 kts (398 km/h) | 261 kts (483 km/h) |
| Range | 1,060 nm (1,963 km) | 1,604 nm (2,971 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 9,920 lbs (4,500 kg) |
| Useful Load | 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg) | 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 65.0 GPH (246 L/h) | 65.0 GPH (246 L/h) |
| TBO | 3,600 hrs | 3,500 hrs |
| Engines | 2 x Turboprop | 1 x Turboprop |
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft King Air 90 or Pilatus PC-12/45?
Pick the King Air 90 if…
- Budget matters — from $413,000 vs $2,486,000, you save ~$2,073,000.
Pick the PC-12/45 if…
- More seats — 12 vs 10.
- Faster cruise — 261 kts vs 215 kts.
- Longer range — 1604 nm vs 1060 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1996 vs 1966.
- More inventory — 25 listings vs 7.
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 90 or Pilatus PC-12/45?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The King Air 90 cruises at 215 kts with 1,060 nm range.
The PC-12/45 cruises at 261 kts with 1,604 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Pilatus PC-12/45: from $2,995,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft King Air 90 and Pilatus PC-12/45?
King Air 90 engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-6 (550 hp).
PC-12/45 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B (1200 hp).
Seats: 10 vs 12.
Cruise: 215 vs 261 kts.
Range: 1060 vs 1604 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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 90: 10 seats / 2,700 lb useful load.
PC-12/45: 12 seats / 4,000 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 90: 3,600-hour TBO.
PC-12/45: 3,500-hour TBO.
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