Pilatus PC-12 vs Piper Meridian
The Pilatus PC-12 (single-engine turboprop, ~280 kt, ~9-10 seats, large cabin with cargo door) and Piper M500/M600 (single-engine turboprop PA-46, ~262-274 kt, ~6 seats) are different-class single-turboprops — the PC-12 is the larger cabin-class machine; the Piper is the smaller cross- country turboprop.
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Pilatus PC-12 | Piper Meridian |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $3,300,000 – $7,450,000 | $738,946 – $2,613,432 |
| Category | Single Engine Turboprop | Single Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 10 | 6 |
| Cruise Speed | 260 kts (482 km/h) | 241 kts (446 km/h) |
| Range | 1,803 nm (3,339 km) | 1,000 nm (1,852 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 10,450 lbs (4,740 kg) | 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) |
| Useful Load | 3,610 lbs (1,637 kg) | 1,362 lbs (618 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 402.0 gal (1522 L) | 170.0 gal (643 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 60.0 GPH (227 L/h) | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) |
| TBO | 3,500 hrs | 3,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $500,000 | $300,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $180,000 | $100,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $900 | $650 |
| Engines | 1 x Turboprop | 1 x Turboprop |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePilatus PC-12
Piper Meridian
Which Should You Buy: Pilatus PC-12 or Piper Meridian?
Bottom line: Step up to the PC-12 when you need the larger cabin, nine-seat capacity, the cargo door and rough-strip capability. Choose the M500/M600 for materially lower acquisition cost and the six-seat cross-country mission — the practical owner-flown single-engine turboprop at PC-12-class cruise speeds. ================================================================ # SENECA × CESSNA / DIAMOND (4) ================================================================
Pick the PC-12 if…
- More seats — 10 vs 6.
- Faster cruise — 260 kts vs 241 kts.
- Longer range — 1803 nm vs 1000 nm.
Pick the Meridian if…
- Budget matters — from $738,946 vs $3,300,000, you save ~$2,561,054.
- Lower operating cost — ~$650/hr vs $900/hr.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1994.
- More inventory — 99 listings vs 18.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.