Pilatus PC-12 vs Beechcraft King Air 200
The Pilatus PC-12 (single-engine turboprop, ~280 kt) and Beechcraft King Air (90/200/250/350 twin turboprops, ~250-313 kt) are direct cabin-class turboprop competitors — single vs twin, both pressurised cabin-class machines.
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Pilatus PC-12 | Beechcraft King Air 200 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $3,300,000 – $7,450,000 | $95,000 – $3,520,212 |
| Category | Single Engine Turboprop | Multi Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 10 | 9 |
| Cruise Speed | 260 kts (482 km/h) | 272 kts (504 km/h) |
| Range | 1,803 nm (3,339 km) | 1,580 nm (2,926 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) | 35,000 ft (10,668 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 10,450 lbs (4,740 kg) | 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) |
| Useful Load | 3,610 lbs (1,637 kg) | 4,045 lbs (1,835 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 402.0 gal (1522 L) | 544.0 gal (2059 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 60.0 GPH (227 L/h) | 80.0 GPH (303 L/h) |
| TBO | 3,500 hrs | 3,600 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $500,000 | $380,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $180,000 | $180,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $900 | $950 |
| Engines | 1 x Turboprop | 2 x Turboprop |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePilatus PC-12
Fuel$330/hr
Variable$900/hr
Annual Fixed$180,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$360,000/yr
Beechcraft King Air 200
Fuel$440/hr
Variable$950/hr
Annual Fixed$180,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$370,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Pilatus PC-12 or Beechcraft King Air 200?
Bottom line: Choose the PC-12 for single-engine economics, the unique cargo door, rough-strip capability and class-leading dispatch reliability. Choose the King Air for twin-engine redundancy and the larger or longer cabin (especially the 350) — when twin-engine operational profile is required.
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.
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 — 94 listings vs 18.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Pilatus PC-12 or Beechcraft King Air 200?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The PC-12 cruises at 260 kts with 1,803 nm range.
The King Air 200 cruises at 272 kts with 1,580 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air 200?
PC-12 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B.
Seats: 10 vs 9.
Cruise: 260 vs 272 kts.
Range: 1803 vs 1580 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
PC-12: about $900/hr variable cost.
King Air 200: about $950/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?
PC-12: 10 seats / 3,610 lb useful load.
King Air 200: 9 seats / 4,045 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?
PC-12: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$500,000.
King Air 200: 3,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$380,000.
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