Piper Meridian vs Pilatus PC-12
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.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 103
- Median asking
- $1,284,291
- Range
- $830,903–$2,305,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 29
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1985–2026
- 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 Meridian | Pilatus PC-12 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 23 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 12 |
| Fatalities | — | 53 |
| % Fatal | — | 52% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Meridian | Pilatus PC-12 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $830,903 – $2,305,000 | $2,572,000 – $5,747,500 |
| Category | Single Engine Turboprop | Single Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 10 |
| Cruise Speed | 241 kts (446 km/h) | 260 kts (482 km/h) |
| Range | 1,000 nm (1,852 km) | 1,803 nm (3,339 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) | 10,450 lbs (4,740 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,362 lbs (618 kg) | 3,610 lbs (1,637 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 170.0 gal (643 L) | 402.0 gal (1522 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 35.0 GPH (132 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 | 1 x Turboprop | 1 x Turboprop |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Meridian
Pilatus PC-12
Which Should You Buy: Piper Meridian or Pilatus PC-12?
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 Meridian if…
- Budget matters — from $830,903 vs $2,572,000, you save ~$1,741,097.
- Lower operating cost — ~$650/hr vs $900/hr.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1994.
- More inventory — 97 listings vs 18.
Pick the PC-12 if…
- More seats — 10 vs 6.
- Faster cruise — 260 kts vs 241 kts.
- Longer range — 1803 nm vs 1000 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.