Beechcraft King Air 90 vs Pilatus PC-12

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.

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
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
50
Source marketplaces
15
Model years available
1965–2014
Pilatus PC-12
For sale now
65
Median asking
$4,199,900
Range
$2,572,000–$5,747,500
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
32
Source marketplaces
6
Model years available
1995–2024

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 90Pilatus PC-12
All events—23
Serious—0
Fatal—12
Fatalities—53
% Fatal—52%
View full Beechcraft King Air 90 NTSB record →View full Pilatus PC-12 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Beechcraft King Air 90 Pilatus PC-12
Beechcraft King Air 90
View 108 listings →
Median $1,172,500
 Pilatus PC-12
View 18 listings →
Median $4,199,900
Price Range $413,000 – $3,117,025 $2,572,000 – $5,747,500
Category Multi Engine Turboprop Single Engine Turboprop
Model Specifications
Seats 10 10
Cruise Speed 215 kts (398 km/h) 260 kts (482 km/h)
Range 1,060 nm (1,963 km) 1,803 nm (3,339 km)
Service Ceiling — 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Max Gross Weight — 10,450 lbs (4,740 kg)
Useful Load 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg) 3,610 lbs (1,637 kg)
Fuel Capacity — 402.0 gal (1522 L)
Fuel Burn — 60.0 GPH (227 L/h)
TBO 3,600 hrs 3,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost — $500,000
Annual Fixed — $180,000
Hourly Variable — $900
Engines 2 x Turboprop 1 x Turboprop

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Beechcraft King Air 90

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 90 or Pilatus PC-12?

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 King Air 90 if…

  • Budget matters — from $413,000 vs $2,572,000, you save ~$2,159,000.
  • More inventory — 108 listings vs 18.

Pick the PC-12 if…

  • Faster cruise — 260 kts vs 215 kts.
  • Longer range — 1803 nm vs 1060 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1994 vs 1966.

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?
It depends on your mission and budget. The King Air 90 cruises at 215 kts with 1,060 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?
Beechcraft King Air 90: from $459,000. 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?
King Air 90 engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-6. PC-12 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B. Cruise: 215 vs 260 kts. Range: 1060 vs 1803 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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 90: 10 seats / 2,700 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 90: 3,600-hour TBO. 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