Piper Cheyenne vs Pilatus PC-12
The Pilatus PC-12 (single-engine turboprop, ~280 kt, pressurised cabin-class) and Piper Cheyenne (twin-turboprop, ~280 kt, pressurised) are direct cabin-class turboprop competitors — single vs twin.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 27
- Median asking
- $995,000
- Range
- $496,200–$1,505,955
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 14
- Source marketplaces
- 9
- Model years available
- 1978–1987
- 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) | Piper Cheyenne | Pilatus PC-12 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 23 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 12 |
| Fatalities | — | 53 |
| % Fatal | — | 52% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Cheyenne | Pilatus PC-12 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $496,200 – $1,505,955 | $2,572,000 – $5,747,500 |
| Category | Multi Engine Turboprop | Single Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 8 | 10 |
| Cruise Speed | 240 kts (444 km/h) | 260 kts (482 km/h) |
| Range | 1,400 nm (2,593 km) | 1,803 nm (3,339 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 31,000 ft (9,449 m) | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 9,050 lbs (4,105 kg) | 10,450 lbs (4,740 kg) |
| Useful Load | 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) | 3,610 lbs (1,637 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 365.0 gal (1382 L) | 402.0 gal (1522 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 55.0 GPH (208 L/h) | 60.0 GPH (227 L/h) |
| TBO | 3,500 hrs | 3,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $100,000 | $180,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $650 | $900 |
| Engines | 2 x Turboprop | 1 x Turboprop |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Cheyenne
Pilatus PC-12
Which Should You Buy: Piper Cheyenne or Pilatus PC-12?
Bottom line: Choose the PC-12 for single-engine economics, modern systems, the unique cargo door and class-leading dispatch reliability. Choose the Cheyenne only when twin-engine redundancy matters more than operating cost — accepting the Cheyenne's out-of-production status and thinner support.
Pick the Cheyenne if…
- Budget matters — from $496,200 vs $2,572,000, you save ~$2,075,800.
- Lower operating cost — ~$650/hr vs $900/hr.
- More inventory — 24 listings vs 18.
Pick the PC-12 if…
- More seats — 10 vs 8.
- Faster cruise — 260 kts vs 240 kts.
- Longer range — 1803 nm vs 1400 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.